A lot of heat, but no light

Rating: Null/10 (2 August 2002)

When I first heard of this movie I anticipated its release to tell an important story of the US War in the Pacific in WW-II. When its release was delayed, I believed they were editing the film to make it a nice tight piece. When I learned John Woo was directing the movie, I anticipated the texture he typically adds to his movies. What I saw was a tremendous disappointment.
The contribution of the Navajo Code Talkers in WW-II could not be measured, it provided a virtually unbreakable code that could be used on field and plain voice radios. I thought the movie would tell us the why and how the Marine Corp and Navy decided upon this. Why the Navajo language, and why not Sioux or Iriquois? How did the Marine Corp and US Government talk the Navajo into doing this, because let's face it the Governments record dealing with Native Americans is not the best.
Now for the Movie itself, why is a babe like Frances O'Connor chasing a surly Nick Cage? Why can Sgt. Enders (Cage) speak Japanese if he is a bad boy from South Philly? How did Sgt.(s) Enders and Andersen (C. Slater) get Jungle Camouflage Uniforms in 1943 when the rest of the USMC got them in Viet Nam? Why didn't John Woo do his homework, pyrotechnics is not a substitute for a good script and the battle of Saipan was far different than what was portrayed in this movie.
I think I will take a drive along route 66 to the Codetalkers Museum in Arizona.