Often considered one of Steven Spielberg's best,
Saving Private Ryan is a story of heroism, danger, and most importantly, inspiration. Tom Hanks gives his best performance as Capt. Frank Miller ever since the title character in
Forrest Gump. The ensemble is once again top-notch, but also diverse and first-class.
This epic takes place starting at the Normandy Invasion, June 6, 1944. The Allied forces arrive at France and just get annihilated by Nazi soldiers. Soon after, Captain Frank Miller seven other troopers are out on a mission to find Pvt. James Francis Ryan, a soldier whose whereabouts are unknown, and no one knows whether he is dead or alive. It is up to those warriors to save him, and save themselves.
As stated, the story starts at D-Day. That first act has some of the most real, violent, sad, gruesome scenery in film history and is the definition of the R rating. Besides that, it is also some of the best scenery in history. Each fighter along with Miller provides something of a character study, and makes you feel sympathy for each character.
I wish this review could be longer - you never know, edits do happen - but there are many spoilers that I would rather not. This film is what makes the Epic genre so strong. It stands alongside classics such as
Gone with the Wind and
Schindler's List as one of the best of the genre. The movie is memorable, caring, and takes itself seriously enough the way it should be. I agree when people say
Saving Private Ryan is overrated, but this film receives a 4/4.
This epic takes place starting at the Normandy Invasion, June 6, 1944. The Allied forces arrive at France and just get annihilated by Nazi soldiers. Soon after, Captain Frank Miller seven other troopers are out on a mission to find Pvt. James Francis Ryan, a soldier whose whereabouts are unknown, and no one knows whether he is dead or alive. It is up to those warriors to save him, and save themselves.
As stated, the story starts at D-Day. That first act has some of the most real, violent, sad, gruesome scenery in film history and is the definition of the R rating. Besides that, it is also some of the best scenery in history. Each fighter along with Miller provides something of a character study, and makes you feel sympathy for each character.
I wish this review could be longer - you never know, edits do happen - but there are many spoilers that I would rather not. This film is what makes the Epic genre so strong. It stands alongside classics such as Gone with the Wind and Schindler's List as one of the best of the genre. The movie is memorable, caring, and takes itself seriously enough the way it should be. I agree when people say Saving Private Ryan is overrated, but this film receives a 4/4.
