Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Mel Gibson's new movie is a good one but suffers from the usual problems bedeviling current mainstream movies namely excessive and over-the-top violence, unbelievable action sequences, and characters that sometimes ring false (despite being based on real life). Like Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" you have to wonder if the Writers/Directors saw any of the old Hollywood war movies, since those old movies were able to draw you into the characters and make them real. Its amazing how a film like "battleground" or Best of your lives can make you feel you are watching realistic average Americans, while 21st Century movies always seem off for some reason. 

The movie follows the life of Desmond Doss, a medic a conscientious objector, who refused to carry a gun, but saved the lives of over 75 men during the battle of Okinawa and won the Medal of Honor. The movie follows his life in small town Virginia, then his problems in basic training and finally his exploits in the Battle of Okinawa. 

The acting is well done as is the direction. Garfield is fine in the leading role. Oddly almost all the actors except Garfield are Aussies and all of them seem 'murican enough to fool me. 


BTW - if you google it, you'll see the real life William Doss was even more amazing than in the movie. He was incredible man both good and courageous. The movie really doesn't do him justice.