Cinematic Novacaine

Rating: 2/10 (14 March 2015)

*** Warning: Possible Spoilers *** Given the meat, texture and wealth of personal accounts that went into capturing Zamperini's story in Hillenbrand's novel, I am amazed that Jolie and the Coens could serve up this dish of tepid oatmeal.
Character progression was sacrificed for predictable "emotional" shots. We are never given a chance to see the fire inside Zamperini, and his spectacular athletic achievements become only poorly placed cameos. The breadth and reality of POW suffering was glossed over. Is Hollywood afraid to show the true psychotic brutality of someone like Watanabe? ("The Bird") Watch the first five minutes of the film (which are easily the best five minutes), then do yourself a favor: Turn it off and read the book instead.