Serviceable war film

Rating: 6/10 (5 November 2004)

Plot: During World War II, a Marine Sergeant (Nicholas Cage) is assigned to guard a Navajo Indian (Adam Beach), who's entrusted with a secret code never broken by the enemy.
Critique: A decent war film, certainly watchable, but it's pretty much like every other movie like it. The whole angle with the Navajo Indians is interesting, but it isn't explored enough. I think it was Roger Ebert who pointed out that it's more or less a gimmick for a standard war movie. Most of the characters are two-dimensional, and the only female supporting player is entirely forgotten by the last third (leaving me to suspect most of her scenes were excised altogether). These are my gripes, so what's good? If you're looking for pyrotechnics, there's plenty of that. The combat scenes are well done, with plenty of gunplay and explosions. It doesn't quite have the artistry of "Saving Private Ryan," but it's still an impressive spectacle--undoubtedly even more so on a big screen. I did appreciate some of the more subtle touches, such as the Navajo soldier playing the flute. The acting is decent enough, overall. I'd give it a qualified recommendation to fans of the genre.
Rating: 6/10 or (**1/2)
Released by MGM