Flags of Our Fathers (Review)

[ChipsAndSnacks]

So I got back from watching Flags of Our Fathers.

Its okay, I guess...it was okay not great. Not really the best adaptation of a war event on the big screen though. I've seen better in History Channel documentaries and other written articles. Although not too confusing the movie does jump around time lines frequently.

I never read the book so...*shrug*. But...never got to it. Better go now.
Did present the whole tragic hero and labeled hero thing alright. I wish they did focus on more character development though as you didn't feel the emotional connection coming off the main or minor ones whose names stood out.

Also, they should have broadened the music, because it seemed like they used the same song in every important moment.
The only thing that got me was the actual war photos in the credits.
Left me scratching my head though on how this event was portrayed in the big screen.

I do suggest reading the book although I bet it is better than this movie.

Not sure about my review itself as I'm actually comparing the movie to the events which I've read and studied on a bit rather than just the movie and the book itself.

[Captain Pimp]

But the war violence is really realistic, right? :nuts

I was really looking forward to this movie though...:cry

[ChipsAndSnacks]

Yes, the fighting did look realistic. But it never seemed to capture the feelings I felt when looking at the photos. I don't think it presented the difficulties the Marines went through when fighting on sand, against an entrenched enemy in a land fortress, or the determination of the defenders. Hardly any depiction of how the Japanese defenders were, the whole kill 10 then kill yourself, daily banzai attacks, loyalty at gun point, etc. Hardly any emotional connection with the audience with the flag raisers that got killed which saddened me. I couldn't even remember their names without looking it up. I learned more through documentaries themselves. But I believe it more focused on the flag raising itself and its importance as a symbol in the war, and how heros never call themselves heros and they are just something we need and create and sadly discard.
Its worth a watch though and I honestly do suggest watching it if you don't know much about the event and the people and don't have the time for books. A good yet tragic story.

[Triggerhappy69]

I don't think there'll ever be a better WWII movie as good as Saving Private Ryan. That movie was as close to reality as any movie could get. You really felt the pain and shit those guys on the beach had to go through.

[ChipsAndSnacks]

If you're into capturing the whole battle thing Saving Private Ryan is probably the best. Thing is that it wasn't based on a true story. The war yes, Omaha beach landing, bits and pieces of battles may have been based off of other actual missions and put in to make the movie interesting, but I don't think the story was. Not that I know. Its easy to alter things to keep an audience interested, but if you're trying to stick to the book and to true events and stay loyal to the facts, its hard to do so.

[ChipsAndSnacks]

Just came back from watching it again. By myself this time. I take back everything I said...except for the music part.

Its a great on screen portrayal of the Iwo Jima battle, the Flag Raising and what happened after and to the people. Its a war movie, yes, but a lot of tragedy from the main characters after the war.

Go see it. I don't think you would be disappointed. But you do have to stay focused on it. I think the reason I didn't give it a good review the first time because I was trying to fight my bladder from the dang large soda from the theater. Couldn't focus on the movie much.

Yeah. So go see it. Great movie.

Sucks that the movie didn't get much prior exposure though as you hardly see the trailer on TV or even in sneak previews at the theatres. I don't think a lot of people knew there was a movie.

[Megaharrison]

I saw this last night, I thought it was pretty good. A Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers it is not, but still a very good war movie in its own right.

[excellence153]

I really wanna see this movie.

I also wanna see Band of Brothers.

But one question... any footage of the atomic bomb?

[ChipsAndSnacks]

No. Although one of the tactical importance of that island is for having planes to be able to land and refuel after long distances and the plane carrying the bomb was one of them, no they did not show anything about the bomb.