Great deal of fun

Rating: Null/10 (4 August 2014)

The Monuments Men is what we call an ensemble cast film where you get as many prolific actors you can pull in and then build the movie around their acting capabilities. And usually the end result is at least halfway decent, just because it's so much fun to see these people working together. Likewise here. Pretty much all of the actors are A-list and it shows. From George Clooney and Matt Damon to Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and John Goodman, they all shine and have great conversations and scenes together.
Not to say that it isn't otherwise a good movie. The setting is very intriguing, being based on a real life World War II unit of the same name, which mission was to find and protect the pieces of history, art and culture the Nazis had stolen or were trying to steal. The film feels passionately about the importance of art as a basis of culture and as a proof we have existed. Yet it's one thing to claim that art is important and quite another to ask good men and women to potentially sacrifice their lives for it. And the movie doesn't shy away from that problem. It makes its point and allows you to draw your own conclusions.
As for the technical side of things, some people have claimed that the film feels a touch boring and scrambled because we follow so many small groups simultaneously, without ever really focusing on one. And I can see their point. It requires you to pay attention, to remember what is going on with each group and to not mind the pauses in the story lines. I personally didn't have problems with the storytelling and I found the whole experience a great deal of fun. It takes place in war times and acknowledges the human horror going on, but at its heart it's a treasure hunt and thus feels warmhearted and charming.
If you're looking for a bit lighter war movie with great actors, excellent setup and beautiful production values, look no further.