I want those 2 hours back!!!

Rating: Null/10 (14 April 2003)

********SPOILERS THROUGHOUT********* A quick plot summary: Sergeant Joe Enders feels responsible for the deaths of his entire unit and so, despite being deafened by an inner ear injury, manages to be sent to the front line again. His purpose? Could be a way of committing suicide, or maybe a determination to make amends. Anyhow, when push comes to shove he lays his own life down to save his fellow soldier.

Hang on, you say. What about the Navajo code talkers? Yep, I thought the movie was about them too, but it wasn't. It was a pretty standard war movie plot from the 1950's, recycled here and given the added "attractions" of John Woo's action-oriented direction, and what was basically a subplot about the Navajo code talkers.
Was there anything good about it? Well, Christian Slater didn't completely suck. The Navajo story was interesting but not a big enough part of the movie.
The bad points? Many and various. Nic Cage's deafness seemed to come and go as and when it suited the plot. A half hearted romance storyline went nowhere at all. The battle scenes were ridiculous - just how many bullets fit in a magazine for an American gun? Were the Japanese totally untrained? Plus I can't help thinking the front line was a pretty dumb place for not one, but two code talkers. The sub plot about the racist soldier who sees the light when his life is saved by a Navajo made me laugh hysterically.
It's a big shame because I just know there's an interesting story waiting to be told about the code talkers and their contribution to the war effort. It should have been the story of Yahzee (the Navajo Cage is assigned to caretake) rather than Cage/Enders. That might have given a new perspective on the war. As it is, there is nothing original or interesting here, just a wasted opportunity.
1 out of 5.