Excellent WW2 Thriller

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2009)

I regret missing this one in the theater. Just saw it on blue-ray and its a fantastic. Singer & McQuarrie team up again and do one up on The Usual Suspects. As a thriller, it's pacing and suspense work seamlessly - never a dull moment. As WW2 genre picture, it's refreshing, as we're not watching typical Hollywood flag waving fair. The weight of the Nazi regime looms large and never has there been a better portrayal of Hitler and his senior advisers on film. If you are looking for loads of combat action like Saving Private Ryan, look elsewhere. The movie is not trying to wow you with effects as the story alone is interesting enough to stay tuned. One warning though, the pacing is very quick so be sure to pause the movie if you're getting a snack. The story's told from inside the Nazi high ranks and that makes it all the more interesting.
The acting is superb. The supporting players all bring there A game and script is tightly woven enough that the balance between each character is real. Regardless of what gets said in the media, I've always enjoyed Tom Cruise as an actor. His does admirably here and the role of Stauffenberg does not suffer from the surrounding talent. What I really enjoyed most is the simplicity with which the film unfolds from Singer's lens. He's probably the most talented young director in Hollywood and his attention to detail does not overwhelm. It adds the to the zazz of the picture and his abilities shooting the Hitler sequences make them absolutely nerve racking. Probably the most underrated film of 2008. It's worth adding to your collection.