A reverent astonishing piece of filmed poetry, that also happens to be a war movie

Rating: Null/10 (18 November 2002)

As with many of the truly magnificent movies in history, this movie is bound to be misunderstood over and over again. So it doesn't surprise me that so many people have panned this movie so vehemently. It seems almost every amazing film I see, I find droves and droves of people who swear it's the worst thing they've ever seen. But all I can say is that some films are meant for some people, and not for others.
This movie is about war, but it's more about Life, about the beauty of it, the questions it poses to all of us, the people we surround ourselves with during it, and the way we may face it's end. This movie is saturated with life, so richly that I find myself abuzz, awash in its wake. Amazing cinemetography, an inventive and unique screenplay, a tremendously well crafted score, and this poetic beautiful writing (yes in the voiceovers). Pure genius. James Caviezel gives the performance of his career, or of any actor's career. There are times that he captures this look, almost like he's staring into the eyes of God, like Wes Bentley at the end of American Beauty. And that's the movie I was thinking of while I was watching it. Two masterpieces illustrating the same truth in the most remarkably different ways. And the movie is long yes, but its so meticulously laid out. It is so perfectly gradual, like a sunrise, unfolding itself to you color by color.
I am so unmeasurably glad that this movie was made. Mankind strikes again with our brilliant creativity. I am truly sorry for anyone that cannot understand it.