A fun but historically inaccurate movie

Rating: 6/10 (2 December 2018)

This review contains spoilers.
Windtalkers is an action movie that premiered in 2002. The movie is directed by John Woo and stars Nicolas Cage, and Adam Beach. The movie is inspired by Navajo code breakers on the
Pacific theater for the United States military. The movie follows two USMC Soldiers in the invasion of Saipan.
Windtalkers is a movie with a lot of problems. This movie is not historically accurate. I would treat this movie as freely influenced by real events. Much of this movie simply uses real events however it likes for its own benefit. This makes the movie feel contrived as so much of the movie felt like a Hollywood action movie. To some audiences, this is perfectly acceptable.
The movie follows two soldiers: Sergeant Joe Enders, played by Nicolas Cage, and Private Ben Yahzee, played by Adam Beach. These two soldiers are the protagonists in this movie but do not undergo a satisfying story. Much of this story felt contrived and their character interactions artificial. The dialogue felt so artificial and forced. Each of these characters have backstories that are simply given to the characters and not explored thoroughly. This makes the plot and characters in this move incredibly weak.
The movie does do its action well. John Woo can direct adrenaline pumping action scenes that dazzle the audience. This movie is filled with these scenes. These action scenes make the movie worth watching but are not particularly memorable. These action scenes are not like the fun ballet of bullets from John Woo's Hard Boiled movie and instead are more grounded in reality.
Nicolas Cage does deliver a classic Nicolas Cage acting moment here. He is more restricted in his role here but he does have insane freak out moments. Nicolas Cage makes this movie entertaining to watch.
I would still recommend Windtalkers despite its obvious flaws. It is an entertaining movie that only uses history as a setting.
Grade: C