Operation Valkyrie Is In Effect

Rating: 8/10 (26 December 2008)

VALKYRIE is an intense thriller despite the fact that it stars actors who don't do German accent. Having said that, it does have its flaws but Bryan Singer's sharp direction puts you in this race against time that is so well-played, those few flaws can be considered as collateral damage. From beginning to the end, it wastes no time on drama, everything is fast-paced. Entertainment is what you'll get.
I didn't like Superman Returns, so VALKYRIE to me redeems Bryan Singer who I think is better off doing thriller/action gigs like this one. He has the sixth sense to orchestrate each scene that is bound to keep you on the edge of our seat. It makes you wanna know what's going to happen next. And just like the assassination plot itself, every little second counts. The key is to remind the audience that nothing ever goes according to plan, there's always a change beyond our control, whether it's the weather or any type of element. What Bryan Singer manages to do is display and escalate them in a way that would get your attention fixed on the screen. We all know how it's going to end, it's based on real history, so it all now depends on showing how they may have pulled this off, it's about the process. Having said that, I gotta admit, this is one hell of a production.
Tom Cruise does look like Colonel Stauffenberg, we've seen the comparison photos over the web, but I still think someone better could do the job. Is it just me or does Tom Cruise often seem like he's mimicking Jimmy Fallon where he tries to look serious but you can tell there's a hint like he's about to laugh. But, every time Cruise expresses his anger, I am reminded of how awesome he is at showing mad temper ala Bourn on the Fourth of July. So there is still that good point, if you will. The eye-patch thing looks a bit silly but I'd rather have that than the creepy eye-ball he carries around. I think the movie could've done without it. In my humble opinion, Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong, Wanted) who's also in this movie as the leader of the reserved army, should've been the one to play Stauffenberg. Casting so many well-known British actors to play German officers probably won't throw you off but there has got to be some German actors who can speak English out there who should've gotten the shot at playing these characters.
Their plan seemed so perfect at the time. Can you imagine if it had worked?! If only they'd done it the first time around, if only the explosives were more powerful, if only they didn't rush into action without confirming every single assumed information. German people might think their heroes are being exploited by this American-made film but it's obvious that VALKYRIE does intend on doing them justice.