Review of Windtalkers (2002) by James H — 18 Dec 2009

This is quite different from other John Woo films. He hasn't done many war movies. I actually really liked this one. It's got a very engaging story and obviously Woo's direction results in some beautiful action scenes.

Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) is an indian who volunteers to be a "Windtalker", someone who transmitts messages during battles in the ancient language of the Najavo. This is type of language is used as an unbreakable code as the Japanese won't understand it if they recieve the message. Meanwhile, Corporal Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) and a platoon of his fellow marines are fighting Japanese forces on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. They become outnumbered and the marines are killed one by one. Joe is then knocked unconscious by a grenade explosion. He is sent to a military hospital. His physical wounds heal but he has troubled hearing in one ear. He wants to go to war again, but due to problems with his hearing he is seen as unfit. However, a pharmacist feels sympathetic for him and helps him cheat to pass so he can go to war. His assigned to protect Ben Yahzee and to not let the enemy get hold of the Najava code. At first, Joe isn't very friendly to Ben, but as the two fight in the war togehter, they from a special bond. The plot itself isn't anything special, but the characters and relationship development are all done very well. The bond that grows between Joe and Ben is excellently done. You care about these characters which is fantastic in a war movie. The dialogue could've been better because a lot of it was really stupid.

I liked the acting. Nicolas Cage and Adam Beach worked really well together. The other soldiers were played by Peter Stormare, Noah Emmerich, Mark Ruffalo and Brian Van Holt, and they were all splendid. Christian Slater was also very good as Ben's friend who also volunteers to be a Windtalker.

The themes in the movie were done really well. They've conveyed war-like themes, and one of discrimination to Indians. Loss of friends during battles have been told in this in a very tragic way.

I think this movie's been really nicely done. The action scenes aren't really a big deal. John Woo is an action director, but I think he's done really well with the drama in this. The themes are great and I loved the characters. It's a fantastic war film. Highly Recommended.