War is Hell.

Rating: 8/10 (21 August 2005)

Not perfect, due to specific melodramatic moments (sepia-hued flash-backs of better days and sharing an ice lolly with bro), a lack of subtlety (almost operatic with some seriously hammered-home political statements)and grandiose score (bombastic and sweeping with violins which wail in homage to Saving Ryans Privates), but compelling viewing nonetheless. Stunning and horrifically violent battle scenes with an epic scale the likes of which aren't even matched by recent, and obvious, Hollywood epics. Significantly better, because of its well thought out plot and stomach churning visceral action set-pieces, than John Woo's monumentally monotonous 'Windtalkers' and Spielberg's over-hyped 'Saving Private Ryan'.