Review of Unbroken (2014) by David P — 07 Jul 2015

Dissapointed... I read the book, such an amazing book... and then I watched the movie. This movie practically had everything going for it and with the right people, this could have been the best movie of the year... unfortunately it wasn't.

The story was thrilling; the movie was somewhat dull in parts; many scenes lacked anger and emotion in scenes that would have it. Also Watanabe was a VERY VERY cruel man and in the movie; ehh just a regular Japanese soldier who treats the American P.O.W.'s bad but nothing special. Why did they do it like that?? I also didn't like the fact that Phil was removed from the story and never revisited again. And also everything that happens after the concentration camp; PTSD, and the Christian revival are taken out completely. The theme of forgiveness is completely removed.

ALRIGHT..... what did it get right? Well the story is basically accurate the whole time it tells it. It's accuracy makes most of the stars and the movie keeps you entertained enough; just enough - to become thoroughly watchable. It lacks true compelling drama though. There are several scenes I liked such as the beatings, the call home, the Olympic scenes, and some of the scenes on the raft, such as the sharks.

Unbroken is decent, but the lack of drama, emotion, and the removal of the true theme, PTSD, and the revival make this movie quite forgettable. Let's just say Unbroken is one movie to watch once, and then not to watch again for a long time...