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Saving Private Ryan Customer Reviews (64 - 66 of 91 Reviews)

A Tribute to Heros
I was compelled to write this review based on some of the incredibly ignorant, self-serving reviews listed below. It always strikes me how some viewers will see a movie and then are appalled when it isn't 100% historically accurate. In the movie "Field of Dreams" Joe Jackson is depicted as a right handed hitter, so I guess this movie should be considered a bomb, after all Shoeless Joe was a lefty. Perhaps if you cynical viewers out there lightened up a little and came down off your high pedestals you might actually add a little enjoyment and enrichment to your lives. It's funny, I don't ever recall Mr. Spielberg, or Mr. Hanks or anyone else associated with this film spouting on about how Saving Private Ryan was intended to be 100% historically accurate. Yet people are peeved when an incorrect tank, half- track or weapon is used in a battle sequence. Gee the movie stinks because the sky was a bit too sunny during the landing sequence on Omaha beach. It's a movie folks not some history class at Harvard, get over yourselves already.

The movie recreates the landing on Omaha beach in a horrifying manner. It does a very good job conveying to the viewer the many mishaps the men encountered. Despite all the planning, preparation, war games, etc., the landings were in many ways haphazard. Unfortunately Omaha was a very heavily fortified beach head in Normandy and the Americans landing there where cut down by the thousands. Men landed in the wrong sectors, equipment didn't work, lines where crossed. Ultimately the Americans finally did get off Omaha beach but not without a tremendous cost.

The movie is loosely based on a factual occurrence. During WW II an American soldier was in fact pulled off the line in the Normandy theater and sent home because three of his brothers where killed in action. The movie takes the liberty to build off this to allow the viewer to enter the world of the WW II combat army ranger. Going forward a small unit of army rangers embarks on a mission to find a 101st airborne solder (Matt Damon) who has lost 3 brothers (KIA). The orders are that he be found and then sent home to the states so that his family will not have to endure the loss of another son. As the movie progresses the viewer is drawn into various combat encounters culminating with an intense battle which takes place in a small French village. The battle scenes are outstanding, especially the last epic WW II battle in the village. I thought the acting was very well done. Tom Hanks as usual was excellent, as was Ed Burns, and Tom Sizemore. Matt Damon also was excellent in his supporting role.

The message here is plain and simple. This movie was meant as a tribute to a generation of brave men who put their lives on the line for all of us. Men who's lives were interrupted and taken away at much too young an age. The film does an excellent job conveying the horror and hell these men encountered. For me, this is the films message, and I think it more than accomplished its goal. I've seen some people pan this film because it too clearly defines the lines between good and evil, or that it glorifies war. Sorry, that notion is nothing more than a bunch of bunk. I just don't see anyone running to sign up for the Army or Marines after watching the first 20 minutes of this film. The fact is, there has never been a time in the history of the world where the lines between good and evil where more clearly defined than in WW II. The estimated death toll in WW II (military & civilian) is listed at "48,231,700". Almost 50 million lives lost; let that number sink in a little before you blowhards out there write another one of your ignorant reviews about how over blown the notion between good vs. evil is depicted in this film.

The films focus is on a small American Army Ranger unit, it wasn't intended to be a modern day version of "The Longest Day" or a comprehensive narration of D Day. The direction the film takes should in no way be perceived as a slight toward the other brave allies who fought to rid the world of Nazi tyranny. A collective fighting will was needed to prevail, and we must never forget the great sacrifices all of the allies made to defend our freedoms. This film offers the viewer a lasting image of the level of sacrifice that was made.

Thank you to the WW II Generation who preserved our freedom and liberty.

Not really that good
This is one over hyped movie. Although the opening scenes on Omaha Beach are incredibly realistic, the remainder of the movie is ironically unrealistic and an ego trip for Tom Hanks, the lost Ranger. My advice, watch the first 10 minutes, skip the rest.

Surrealism
This movie is so accurate in depicting the trials and tribulations of WWII. You can see the horrors (FX) and hear blood spatter (using surround sound). I guess the intent of Spielberg is to subconsciously implant in our minds that "War Is Not the Answer". Another cool war movie even though it is anti-war.

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