Movie Review # 351: 1917 (2020)

Well guys, sorry that this film review, like the last one, is a little overdue too. Still, as promised let’s review 1917.

Plot: The movie takes place during World War I. Two British soldiers (George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman) are instructed by their General (Colin Firth) to go, and send a message to the British Army to call off an attack on the German Army that is likely to jeopardize around 1600 of their soldiers. Can they make it in time to relay the message?

Okay, there is a good plenty to enjoy about this movie. However, this film is probably not the best of these films to be set during this historical period of time. But more on that later. Starting with the good elements, the film, like nearly every other film set during this time, does well with showing what a gruesome, and difficult life it was to fight in a particular war like this one. Of course, there’s some really good action in this film too. What’s more is that for anyone who is just learning about this point in time, there is a lot to learn about this film such as how to avoid your opponent, how people had to try and survive during the war, and other things as well. You also have some really good acting performances. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Colin Firth, or evening any of the other actors or actresses at least got nominated for a Golden Globe or Oscar, if not win either award.

However, the film suffers from having some issues. One of the most notable ones is that 1917 seems to be way too fast paced even for a movie that’s around two hours. In addition to this, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of depth with the characters, not even the main ones. Sure, you get to know some of them to a degree. With that being said, however, you don’t seem to really know them well enough to care about them all that much. That’s the joy about movies like 1998’s Saving Private Ryan, 2001’s Pearl Harbor, or even 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge, for example, is that even if those films took place during war times, at least those movies took time to develop their characters, and made us as the audience want to cheer for them more, you know? Not to mention that even if those films felt sad and depressing to one degree or another, at least they felt somewhat uplifting, if not a whole lot, you know? With 1917, however, the film suffers from acting more sad and depressing as well. The ending is okay, but you’re probably not going to feel as satisfied by the time the movie is over.

Well folks, that’s my review for 1917. It has a good setting, and does well with showing life during World War I. And yes, you’ll get to learn some things from this movie. However, if you’re expecting a film that is in the same league as say Saving Private Ryan, or Hacksaw Ridge, or something like that, be warned that you’ll be sorely disappointed. I’d say maybe watch it at least once, if not more, but only if you’re eager to another movie set during this time, and possibly learning more information about this period of history.

Final Grade: C-