Rating of
4/4
A new modern classic like Braveheart!
Indyfreak - wrote on 11/05/16
Mel Gibson returns with a vengeance by directing one of the year's best films and perhaps the single best war film since Saving Private Ryan. With a script that has its cake and eats it with relish, Gibson focuses on a pacifist (Garfield) that joins the army as a medic and ends up rescuing 75 of his fellow soldiers at the harrowing battle of Okinawa.
The production is impressive for what was reportedly a modest budget of $40million (gotta love those Australian tax breaks). Mel Gibson for all his faults is a master-class directer and his direction of the battle sequences consists of what could be the best shot battle sequences in a WW2 movie in decades. They're extremely graphic and violent (not for the faint of heart AT ALL). The carnage and bloodshed could just top what Spielberg accomplished in the infamous opening of his WW2 epic back in '98.
The acting is excellent from everyone. Andrew Garfield reminds everyone that he's one of the best younger talents of today as the sincere and empathetic Desmond Doss. He's aided by strong supporting roles by the likes of Teresa Palmer as his chaste fiance and Hugo Weaving as his grizzled father. One time A-lister Sam Worthington gets a great chance to shine as Doss' commanding officer and Luke Bracey has a star-making turn as an enemy turned ally of Doss. The most surprisingly enjoyable performance is Vince Vaughn as Doss' army instructor who churns out some seriously snappy one-liners, bringing some much needed humor to the grim wartime setting.
The first half of the story might be accused of being corny and overly sentimental but I found it a clever way to make the audience empathize with Doss and better understand his motivation(s) once he is shipped off for war. That's when things get serious and the shift is made clear the moment that Doss and his comrades are faced by the daunting challenge of beating back a seemingly endless and relentless wave of fanatical Japanese soldiers.
Hacksaw Ridge is a grand old-fashioned war epic with a unique perspective on the horrors of war and the heroism that can arise out of ordinary individuals. I strongly recommend it and especially on the big screen!
