As much as the last couple of decades have proved to the world that Mel Gibson is a crazy person with a drink problem, they have also proved that the man can make a film and a bloody good film at that.
Hacksaw Ridge, is no exception, in that its a good film, it moved me to tears, but then, what doesn't?? But its definitely not as outstanding as the industry and the seemingly blind and deaf critics, would have you believe.
Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of WW2 soldier Desmond Doss and his heroics that culminated in him saving the lives of 75 fellow soldiers, without even once picking up a weapon, due to his religious beliefs.
I have researched the story and I have to say that, as unbelievable as it seems and there are definitely moments where you will be thinking 'As if'!, it is 99.9% true and they even left some quite major parts of his story out.
I watched the whole film through squinty eyes, questioning everything, as if to say to myself 'Really? Is this really the same movie everyone's going mad about?? The same movie that's been nominated for no less that 6 Oscars??? Really??'
Despite these questions, I quite rightly gave it my full attention and even though it was a good film, it was ultimately just a mixture of, the cheddar cheese that is Pearl Harbour with a bit of Full Metal Jacket thrown in for good measure. Not in a good way either, but in a way that its ripped off the best parts of Full Metal Jacket, even going so far as having Vince Vaughan do his best (worst) impression of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman - NO!!! and replicated the same cheese on toast cringeyness of Pearl Harbour, with Theresa Palmer doing her best impression of Nurse Evelyn Johnson.
I think what doesn't help here, is that Pearl Harbour and the like, have tarnished period war films for me, I expect the southern accents and the innocent love story and the soldier hanging out of the train clutching his sweethearts picture etc.
My point is, the first hour of this film was cheesy, predictable and unremarkable, but it was still entertaining so all was not lost, I suppose.
I was getting fidgety I must admit, that was until around 1 hour 10 minutes, when everything goes bat shit crazy for a good solid 20 minutes, explosions, limbs flying about, bodies everywhere, flame throwers being over used, proper gritty combat action and 20 minutes is a bloody long time in terms of action sequences, so credit where credits due, it looked and sounded perfect - Director, Editing and Sound Oscars nominations, thoroughly deserved.
The script was generic, the costume appropriate for its time period, set design etc all solid, but I did get a feeling of cheap green screen and thinly veiled sound stage, when all the action was going on. That being said, there were some truly gorgeous aerial shots and the sequences showing the soldiers scaling the ridge, were beautifully done.
None of the above even matters though, when you can stare into Andrew Garfield's puppy dog eyes for a couple of hours. He did the real life Desmond Doss justice and did his job well and that's where his performance ends for me - he did his job.
I've seen much more Oscar worthy performances from him in his earlier career - he's a fantastic actor but this wasn't Academy Award worthy in my opinion.
If Jake Gyllenhaal and indeed Aaron Taylor Johnson, don't deserve one for melting everyone's actual eyes out with their scorching performances in Nocturnal Animals, then neither does Andrew Garfield.
I'm going to hell for saying that because he just seems like the sweetest man.
Its a good solid effort, that should be seen in the cinema, just to appreciate the sheer magnitude of this production.
Hacksaw Ridge, is no exception, in that its a good film, it moved me to tears, but then, what doesn't?? But its definitely not as outstanding as the industry and the seemingly blind and deaf critics, would have you believe.
Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of WW2 soldier Desmond Doss and his heroics that culminated in him saving the lives of 75 fellow soldiers, without even once picking up a weapon, due to his religious beliefs.
I have researched the story and I have to say that, as unbelievable as it seems and there are definitely moments where you will be thinking 'As if'!, it is 99.9% true and they even left some quite major parts of his story out.
I watched the whole film through squinty eyes, questioning everything, as if to say to myself 'Really? Is this really the same movie everyone's going mad about?? The same movie that's been nominated for no less that 6 Oscars??? Really??'
Despite these questions, I quite rightly gave it my full attention and even though it was a good film, it was ultimately just a mixture of, the cheddar cheese that is Pearl Harbour with a bit of Full Metal Jacket thrown in for good measure. Not in a good way either, but in a way that its ripped off the best parts of Full Metal Jacket, even going so far as having Vince Vaughan do his best (worst) impression of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman - NO!!! and replicated the same cheese on toast cringeyness of Pearl Harbour, with Theresa Palmer doing her best impression of Nurse Evelyn Johnson.
I think what doesn't help here, is that Pearl Harbour and the like, have tarnished period war films for me, I expect the southern accents and the innocent love story and the soldier hanging out of the train clutching his sweethearts picture etc.
My point is, the first hour of this film was cheesy, predictable and unremarkable, but it was still entertaining so all was not lost, I suppose.
I was getting fidgety I must admit, that was until around 1 hour 10 minutes, when everything goes bat shit crazy for a good solid 20 minutes, explosions, limbs flying about, bodies everywhere, flame throwers being over used, proper gritty combat action and 20 minutes is a bloody long time in terms of action sequences, so credit where credits due, it looked and sounded perfect - Director, Editing and Sound Oscars nominations, thoroughly deserved.
The script was generic, the costume appropriate for its time period, set design etc all solid, but I did get a feeling of cheap green screen and thinly veiled sound stage, when all the action was going on. That being said, there were some truly gorgeous aerial shots and the sequences showing the soldiers scaling the ridge, were beautifully done.
None of the above even matters though, when you can stare into Andrew Garfield's puppy dog eyes for a couple of hours. He did the real life Desmond Doss justice and did his job well and that's where his performance ends for me - he did his job.
I've seen much more Oscar worthy performances from him in his earlier career - he's a fantastic actor but this wasn't Academy Award worthy in my opinion.
If Jake Gyllenhaal and indeed Aaron Taylor Johnson, don't deserve one for melting everyone's actual eyes out with their scorching performances in Nocturnal Animals, then neither does Andrew Garfield.
I'm going to hell for saying that because he just seems like the sweetest man.
Its a good solid effort, that should be seen in the cinema, just to appreciate the sheer magnitude of this production.