Review of Windtalkers (2002) by Justin B — 11 Aug 2011

I agree that if focuses too much on the Nicolas Cage character. Christian Slater is underused. But those are not what made me hate this movie.

We have come to expect a higher level of war realism. That does not mean gore but it does mean that the depictions of battle tactics should be believable. In this movie time after time no one behaves with anything resembling real military training. A group of marines being shelled from a ridge would not need anyone else to call in air support they could do it fine themselves. Why is this group of marines led by a 'gunny?' There would certainly be a lieutenant about. Also no one digs fox holes or prepares positions or sends out pickets or posts guards.

All in all a really bad film despite the great underlying story. The Navajo contribution to the war was brilliant and heroic. They deserved a better film.