A lot of wasted potential

Rating: Null/10 (23 November 2002)

5 out of 10
Windtalkers has a lot of action. For much of its 134 minute running time, it's simply one bloody battle scene after another. On a visceral basis alone, I suppose you'll get some satisfaction. Those looking for anything resembling good drama, characters, or a well-written script will be sorely disappointed. The movie, after all, has an intriguing premise, but sours the potential with one-dimensional characters, cheesy dialogue, weary war cliches, and occasionally unrealistic battle scenes (complete with grenades causing fireballs and American soldiers who never miss).

I'm certain action fans will enjoy the carnage (I know the action fan in me found the combat scenes engaging), but those looking for genuine drama will be left cold. Interesting, ambiguous questions are barely scratched on the surface (whether killing a Navajo codetalker in cold blood is worth it to save the lives of countless marines) and the movie's preference to focus on the white male over the Navajo codetalker is a bit insulting. Decent performances from Nicolas Cage and Adam Beach give the cheesier moments a lift, but they can't lift the film from mediocrity.