I felt compelled to review this film.

Rating: 9/10 (25 April 2012)

Usually, I don't take the time to review films, because it's pretty pointless trying to argue with all the fools who gave this film a bad rating, but this time I really think it needs some backing up. I've watched some pretty violent, gory films before but this was the first one where I actually felt sick. Not because it was so unnecessary, or because it was overdone, but because it was so damn real. The opening scene was so intense and realistic, it explains everything about war that can't be learned just through reading books, studying history or ever looking at old photos. The way the sound muffles to show the audience shell shock, and people lying in the background screaming for their mothers. It's a bit overwhelming, but better that than completely fake. What I really want to point out is that in order for the audience to want the main characters to succeed, there needs to be some purpose to the film, hence the storyline of a small group of soldiers searching for the last of four sons. Otherwise it wouldn't have the emotion or engagement of the audience that was intended. Also, when people complain about it being unrealistic, yes the story is fiction, but how do you know something like that never did happen? Maybe there was one German they let live, who returned later to kill their comrades. Maybe they did send a tank through a small alley. I'd like to point out that the film is in the eyes of American soldiers. It's meant to portray how they saw the war, how the enemy looked in their eyes. Basically, if you didn't want to see any of the slight exaggerations or sympathy to the Americans, go watch a documentary on war, not an incredibly realistic movie.