Review of Enemy at the Gates (2001) by Michael Y — 12 Dec 2010

A WWII movie from the other side of the war, depicting the struggling battle between Russia and Germany, and the Russian sniper who was their soldier's inspiration for victory.

Based on true events, this movie is about Russian soldier, Vassili Zaitsev, and the beginning of his popularity. Between conficts of the war and a love triangle, Zaitsev's biggest problem is the duel between a German sniper who's better than he is. Historical accuracies may very, but this movie in one of my favourite War movies. The depiction of the war is very dirty and a constant struggle with very little hope. It's a pretty different story because you don't see a lot of movies from the Russian side of the War. The love story is minor, but the suspence of the sniper scenes are great!

This is definitely one of the most muddiest and dirtiest war movies I've seen. Taking place in a bombed-to-shit Stalingrad, the movie's enviroment looks amazingly realistic and dark. That goes for the CGI inhanced scenes too which were also done very well. Costumes look authentic and natural. But the best parts are definitely the duel scene's between Jude Law and Ed Harris. The suspence of the scenes are paced greatly and raises the intensity of the fear of getting a bullet inbetween the eyes.

Staring a wonderful cast, Enemy at the Gates is a war movie that's story is just a little different than what you'ld normally see. The best part is realizing that as soon as the two snipers see eachother, one of them will die, so through the whole movie they never clearly see eachother or hear eachother. Two expert shooters in a face-off. There's not a lot of war movies that are that good, and this war movie is definitely a more entertaining one, and one of my favourite war movies.