Overkill

Rating: 7/10 (15 October 2002)

Less would have been more in "Windtalkers", a story about two WWII Marines who wage war on Saipan while forging a reluctant unspoken bond of friendship. Cage plays a battle hardened Sergeant whose is assigned to protect from capture at all cost an American Indian (Beach) "codetalker" who uses his native Navajo language to encrypt radio messages in support of the ground assault. The film offers state-of-the-art war action but buries the human drama in excesses during its protracted 2+ hour run. O'Connor, for example, was completely unnecessary fluff as were the Native American rituals, scenes in Monument Valley, etc. An enjoyable product from action auteur Woo for those into war flicks. (B)