Great premise with terrific battle sequences but the story should have been richer.

Rating: 8/10 (5 July 2008)

Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) and his friend Charlie Whitehorse (Roger Willie) join the Marines to combat near the end of World War 2 to be code-talkers. Which they learn from the army by learning codes to use their native Ameican Language in the combat zone to destroy their enemies. Which their code is supposed to be unbreakable. Ben is working with Sergenant Joe Enders (Oscar-Winner:Nicolas Cage) and while Charlie works with Sgt. Pete "Ox" Anderson (Christian Slater). Which these men are sent to overseas to battle with the Japanese in the South Pacific. But Joe and Ox, they both know from Major Mellitz (Jason Issacs). If the code-talkers find themselves being prisoners for the Japanese, they have no choice to kill them to protect the code. Although Ben and Charlie knows nothing about the risk, they are taking. Since the team are along with other mens in battle (Peter Stomare, Noah Emmerich, Mark Ruffola, Brian Van Holt and Martin Henderson) fighting the war as well. But the group find themselves in terrible odds, since each area in the combat zone is extremely difficult situations. While Joe finds himself a friendship with Ben and their American differences from their cultures in the way of life.
Directed by John Woo (A Better Tomorrow, Face/Off, Hard Target) made an entertaining World War 2 film that has horrific moments of combat sequences are exciting and well-done. Since Woo knows how to create memorable action sequences in his movies. The performances are good, especially Beach makes this flawed picture worth seeing. The supporting cast are also great in their roles. Cage's character is difficult to enjoy at first but he becomes more human as the picture moves. This is the review for the Director's Cut, which Woo added about 18 minutes of additional footage. It is hard to tell which footage they added but it was pointed out in the informative filmmakers commentary track.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The Director's Edition DVD includes three commentaries tracks from the cast & crew. First track is from director John Woo and producer Terence Chang. Which they talked about the script problems, casting and locations of the feature. Second track is by actors:Cage and Staler, which it's very entertaining. Which they talked about their experiences working with the director, the other actors in it, talking about other movies and both actors often joke a lot during the commentary but it does have some moments of dead air. Third track is from Willie and real-life Navajo talker code talker consultant Albert Smith. I haven't gotten from the third track yet. DVD also includes trailers as well.
"Windtalkers" was one of the biggest flops of 2002. Film critics and audiences were very mixed with the results. Most critics and viewers were expecting an Masterpiece. The biggest problem with the movie is the script by Joe Rice and Joe Batleer. Which both screenwriters wrote "Blown Away" and "Chasers" together. Their script is often corny at times and sometimes questionable during the characters' motivations. But their written characters are human enough and there's an few touching moments in the movie. This was John Woo's first director's cut. It was probably a good thing to add scenes in this new version. Which he explains why in the commentary track was it was necessary to be added in the Director's Cut. I liked this new version better than the original theatrical cut. It seems more completed as well. It's still not the masterpiece, we were hoping for but overall "Windtalkers" is a movie i liked very much. Good music score by Two Time Oscar-Winner:James Horner (An American Tail, Braveheart, Titanic). Also available in a Three-Disc set. Super 35. (****/*****).