Review of Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) by Luis V — 26 Dec 2011

One of the most creative, thought provokoting war movies ever made. The companion movie to Flags from Our Fathers, comes Letters from Iwo Jima in which tells the infamous battle in the point of view of the Japanese soldiers. The film concentrates on Private Saigo, whom went to the war, leaving behind his wife and a kid. As the battle approaches he doubts that he will come back home alive. General Tdamichi Kuribayashi arrives in the island to take command of the garrison and immediately begins an inspection of the island defences, and tells them to dig holes since they will not stop the Americans in the beaches.

The film is an excellent analysis of war and what the warriors go through war. The performances served great in this movie. Ken Watanbe's performance was superb in this movie because the character he represents is a character in conflict. Japanese that has been sympathetic towards the American people, and now he must fight against them for the sake of his country. What he should do in order to fight a hopeless battle? This film shows that in war there are neither heroes nor bad guys, just victims of our own ignorance and hatred. Watching this film reminded of the German film "Downfall". Is it worth keep fighting for your country, even do is obvious you have lost the war? For how long do we need to sacrifice for our loyalty to the motherland? The landscape of this movie was freaking epic. Along with the cinematography, the visual effects, the editing. The soundtrack also applies well to this movie because is so eerie, something that makes us feel sad for what has happened in Iwo Jima. This film is better that Flags of Our Fathers because its well focused plot, it focuses well on the characters on what they are going through. Is a film that deals with how you can maintain hope during those dark times, trying to survive even do you are being told that you are going to die. It's not just a war for victory but a war for survival. I seriously like the soldiers' back story because it shows how unprepared this guys are for the war, how much they would like to return home. Not that they were cowards, but they didn't want to die. It's not your usual war movie because it brings something unique, something we haven't seen before. I think is an emotional experience because you feel what they are going through. This film is original because it conveys the good and bad side from both sides of the war in the movie; something not shows in previous war movies. Is the film entertaining? Yes it is, especially at the battle scenes of Iwo Jima. I seriously praise the cinematography in this movie because it fits well, because is sort of shows the bleak hope the soldiers had.

What's wrong this movie? I highly doubt that there's something wrong with this movie.

The film was directed by Clint Eastwood. Most of whom you know him by The Man with No Name. He has been one of the most influential directors of all time, doing classical work like Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby and this film. From a guy whom is infamous working on the action and western genre to make a film in an area that he doesn't have much experience is a challenge, and I think Clint made a masterpiece in this movie. The film was nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture and won the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing. The film was also nominated in the Golden Globes for Best Foreign Language Film.

I strongly recommend this movie to people that love war movies and to people that love Clint Eastwood movies because is one of the best films he has ever made. The film is not for kids for its brutal war scenes. If you are a person that enjoys war/drama movies, and are looking for something new than you should watch this movie.