One of the best movies...ever

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2001)

**Not known to many viewers: this is based on events that occured during WWII. Try to find "Into the Breach" for more info.**
To say that "Saving Private Ryan" is one of the best war films ever made is an understatement. It might possibly be THE best war film ever made; right up there with other films like "Apocalypse Now," "Platoon," "The Deer Hunter," and "Full Metal Jacket." (Yes, I noticed that I used only Nam films, but hey, they're some of the best around!) And for today's Top 250 poll, it's at #27. Even that is an understatement. I believe that SPR should be in the Top 10, maybe even Top 5 best movies of all time. That's all my opinion. But here's a plot summary for this masterpiece.
James Ryan (Matt Damon) has lost his brothers in combat. All three of them. So, the government sends Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) with a team of an additional seven to find him and "get him the hell outta there." These people are as diversified as the New Yorker Private Richard Reiben (Edward Burns) to the Southern sniper Private Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper;) the timid translator, Corporal Timothy Upham (Jeremy Davies) to the hardened veteran Sargent Mike Horvath (Tom Sizemore.) Along the way they encounter various goose chases and German troops, and suffer losses that affect thoughts of how important one Private is.
Every actor in this film is up to his element. I say "his" because, well, to be honest, there are no women in this film, except for random typists and Mrs. Ryan, who don't have speaking parts. Also starring Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, and Ted Danson.
You have not truly lived until you have seen Saving Private Ryan.