Review of Saving Private Ryan (1998) by Jesus C — 09 Aug 2013

War movies...they affect us all. War is probably one of the most influential aspects of mankind, shaping cultures and civilizations for thousands of years, both amazing and horrifying people. And nothing can compare in immensity and overall affecting might to the Second World War. One of the most costly conflicts in human history, it has shaped the entire turning of the world ever since. And of course, there have been absolutely tons of films, shows, miniseries, and books about this war. Two of the best "oldie" war films that portrayed this conflict have to be The Longest Day (1962) and Patton (1970), both which give great, if not rather differing, deliveries. And there are two miniseries that I absolutely love about WW2, both Spielberg/Hanks productions: Band of Brothers (2001) and The Pacific (2010). These are in my opinion the two greatest miniseries of all time, substantially different yet still having a brutal and realistic feel to both. Not a single episode in either is genuinely BAD per se, in fact all are incredibly good, and they have some of the best acting, action, visuals, and true story basis you can find in entertainment.

Now...that's probably not why you're reading this. You're here to see what my favorite war movie of all time is. And...I really don't want to seem unoriginal because I'm NOT the only person to think this, but...Saving Private Ryan, from 1998 directed by the great Steven Spielberg, is truly my favorite of his films and the best war movie out there. There are some that say this film isn't something Spielberg usually does...well in that case those people need to see Schindler's List. Others say it glorifies war, makes it seem promising and entertaining. Well...look at the first 24 minutes of the film and tell me that glorifies war. How many "glorifying of war" films will have soldiers lying with their intestines spilling out, crying for their mother? How many "glorifying of war" films will begin waving an American flag that in fact seems so unnatural and dull that it's clearly trying to be a visual symbol of the horrors of war? But anyway, let's get on with the review.

Firstly, I want to say that Tom Hanks was probably the greatest choice for the lead role that could have been chosen, and with such a massive lineup of great movies to his name, this is actually the one with his best performance. And with such great performances as in movies like Big, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, the Toy Story films, Apollo 13, and Cast Away to name but a few...that's saying something.

Second: One of the things that makes Saving Private Ryan so great is how it just makes even the smallest details unforgettable. Like a splash of water when a body falls, or when that one M1 carbine is dropped and spins through the air, or the still unforgotten clattering of the German machine guns as the invaders attempt to storm the beaches of Normandy. Truly Spielberg, who has made both goods and bads in his long and still going career, put more effort and care into this film than anything he has ever done before.

Third: The film is so intense, so personal, so filled with distinctions, that one must have their entire bodily functions set on it. You literally can't do anything but watch it. Full attention must be utilized, because there is just so much in this movie that honestly, if there's any flaw in it, it should have been longer. But there are still things that really keep you surprised. For example, and I'm absolutely sure I'm not the first to point this out, one would think it was Capt. Miller as the old man kneeling in the graveyard in the beginning of the film. But no, he dies. And it's actually a very good twist to realize it's Matt Damon's character, the Private Ryan of the film's title, who was in the beginning.

So yeah...Saving Private Ryan manages to be both a realistic and no-holding-back war film of epic proportions, yet also touching without forcing it down your throat like Spielberg has done in the past...or is it future...never mind. But one thing bugs me...former president George W. Bush, whom I personally consider the worst president we've ever had (well Cheney would have been a hell of a lot worse), apparently considers this his favorite movie. I'll repeat that: The president who decided to invade Afghanistan due to an assumption that was not properly researched, and to invade Iraq under the pretense of hidden weapons, fought this brutally violent film that still manages to make us understand that war IS bad...thinks this is his favorite movie? Well, somebody clearly has no idea what Saving Private Ryan is really about.