Review of Miracle at St. Anna (2008) by Andrewd — 30 Jul 2009

This movie is a huge missed opportunity. There is a great story to be told about the contributions of the 92 Infantry. A great narrative could have been found in exploring the lives of a group of young black soldiers asked to fight and die for a country and military that treats them like animals.

We could have followed this group of men from basic training through deployment in Italy where they are treated as fellow human beings for the first time in their lives. The film could then culminate with these brave soldiers holding back a German advance by calling in an artillery strike on their location knowing it would mean their death.

That would be an uplifting and actually true telling of the Buffalo Soldiers. Instead we get a lousy mess of a movie. The 92nd is portrayed as a bunch of bumbling fools. Each of the main characters are cliche caricatures none of which are particularly likable.

The lone exception being a young Italian boy. My curiosity on what would become of him is about the only thing that kept me watching. I swear Family Guy offers a more accurate depiction of Italians (bobba da boopi anyone?) The story line is disjointed, the acting is terrible, and the dialogue is so over embellished and heavy handed it completing takes you out of the picture to wonder what kind of a self-felating writer could come up with this stuff.

I swear the early exchange between a detective and a reporter is the most contrived spew of crap I have ever heard. It would be like me starting this review by saying, "Miracle at St Anna is as flat and uninspired as a boobs on a stick figure drawing.

" And then for me to continue on in the same manner in every sentence that followed. You know what McBride (Writer) sometimes people just say things like, "Sorry, I can't help you" or "Let me have a look at that" or simply "Yes" or "No".

And the directing of the battle sequences is completely amatuerish. Perhaps instead of looking for critiques in Clint Eastwood's movies, Spike should of been taking notes. There is one saving grace for the DVD of Miracel at St Anna, there are 2 bonus features well worth watching.

One is a 20 minute feature of the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. The second is a table discussion between Spike, McBride and veterns of the 92nd Infantry and the Tuskeegee Airmen. Those two bonus features are infinitely more worthwhile than the 2hr40min disservice that the main feature is.