Review of Saving Private Ryan (1998) by Shameer B — 22 Feb 2013

"In the last great invasion of the last world war, the greatest danger that eight men faced was saving..one.".

Without a doubt, the most intense, realistic and emotionally draining war film ever made. Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan is as intense as movie-going can get. It's not a movie, it's an experience, a literal dive deep into WW2 that will stay with one forever. So realistic and intense, it literally feels as though you are thrown straight into the battle. The first battle sequence when the frontlines arrive onto Omaha Beach is breathtakingly realistic. It's one of those rare scenes that is so intensely and realistically made that it stays with you forever. An epic award winning film that is deserving of every award that it won. It's a classic masterpiece that will forever be a part of American history. Spielberg let's all of his talents loose for this one, and believe me it shows this is easily one of his best. Visually it is nothing short of absolutely spectacular, and psychologically it will touch your heart as you witness first hand the bravery of these men.

Saving Private Ryan features one of the strongest casts ever assembled for one film. Tom Hanks is a genius as he puts forth one of his best performances in his supremely talented career. Matt Damon is brilliant. Also features career best performances by Tom Sizemore, Vin Deisel, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, and Giovanni Ribisi. An utterly talented cast and a genius director will always make a great movie as they did here.

Powerful and gripping, astonishing and compelling, action-packed and touching, raw and gritty, a war film at it's very best. It's educational, brutally violent, and nothing but the truth, a huge acheivement that will be experiences by generations to come. Truly a brilliant marvel by Spielberg and company.