Review of The Great Raid (2005) by Justin M — 26 Aug 2005

I had been anticipating this movie for quite some time, mostly because it's been several years since the last big-budget war film hit theaters. Although this movie is a big one, it was kept from release due to a scandal involving Miramax (the film's production company).

Now that it's hit theaters, the release has been very limited. Fortunately, it was finally released at a small cinema in my area. I enthusisastically saw it, not knowing what to expect since the film had very mixed reviews.

Overall, I was pretty pleased. The first 2/3 of the movie doesn't include much excitment. Instead it focuses very sharply on the planning of the raid, the Filipino Resistance, and the POWs. There is little character development in the emotional aspect. The film goes more in a historical direction. Those looking for the next shoot em' up "Windtalkers" style war movie would be bored by the strategy and dialogue. Those with even an ounce of interest in the actual events should find the first 2/3 fairly.....well, interesting.

But some of the POW scenes are quite strong. An execution takes place in the film that is probably one of the more disturbing scenes of man's insanity since the 70's film [i]Deliverance[/i].

And then the raid begins. And everything becomes pulse pounding and fast. It's like real life. The serious anticipation, and then the sudden, furious fight. The action unfolds beautifully for the last third of the film. The tension builds very well and the war scenes are very realistic. Easily up to par with Saving Private Ryan. Very gritty, very real.

Shortly after leaving the theater, I suddenly thought to myself..."Jeeze, that was just a good movie.".

So although they could have spiced the first 2/3's up in order to appeal to more than just a historical taste, it's all quite well done and a worthy tribute to the Great Raid on Cabanatuan. And it has some of the best combat scenes I've ever seen. 8/10.