Saving Private Ryan is an intense movie
that puts viewers right in the middle of the action. The second scene, in which
American soldiers storm the beach at Normandy on D-Day, is truly stunning, and
I would recommend it be watched in surround sound, if possible, for the full
effect. This scene is a lot to take in, as it really feels like there are
bullets whizzing all around you, bodies flying, and bombs being detonated
everywhere you look. It is full of violence, but this is in no way gratuitous,
as it helps make the war more realistic. During battle scenes like this, the
film uses techniques like a shaky camera, which can be rather disorienting, to
create the effect of being scared and confused, like the soldiers.
The
movie is not one long action sequence, however. At nearly three hours long, it
has plenty of quieter parts, which may even seem to drag on a bit at times.
However, these sections are important because the juxtaposition between these
scenes and the action scenes mimic the nature of war, in which soldiers can be
bored one minute and under attack the next. Moreover, it is largely during these
parts of the movie that the character development is really emphasized and the
actors, such as Tom Hanks, really have a chance to shine. The reason this movie
is so sad and powerful is that it humanizes the soldiers, creating an emotional
connection between the viewers and the characters. The soldiers aren’t cold
hard killing machines, they’re people with lives and families and jobs. Knowing
this about the characters, like Captain Miller, who is a schoolteacher who just
wants to get home to his wife, makes their deaths even sadder. Captain Miller’s
memorable final line haunts Private Ryan for the rest of his life, and I liked
how the movie returns in the end to the same scene from the very beginning.
Overall, Saving Private Ryan is a must-see that truly captures the nature of
war and will not soon be forgotten.
4.5/5
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