Saving Private Ryan (1998)

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Five Stars

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It is kind of funny to think back to when this film first aired. If I'm completely honest and open about my reactions to certain things back then, one could say I was pretty sensitive to realistic gore on screen. I therefore actually decided not to go with my family to check this out on the big screen due to the big news of the film being how insanely bloody its opening sequence was. Even if I was 16 at the time and taking some of my first steps into the horror genre, there was something to the idea of the realism of real events that got to me.

Anyway, sometime later, we found it on The Movie Network and decided to watch it, along with me deciding to give it a proper chance. So, of course, there I was watching this crazy opening sequence of these American soldiers storming Omaha Beach at Normandy on that fateful day of June 6, 1944, and my mind began to swarm with all sorts of thoughts. I thought of how horrific the whole situation was, but instead of shying away from it, I absorbed it, as it's an important piece of history, and I knew Spielberg was going for a sort of brutal realism in this film. In my mind, at least, Spielberg was giving us an anti-war message with this scene whilst it looks glorified. It's a scene meant to instill fear of war, not so much to enjoy the violence - that's what Michael Bay is for!

Throughout the gore-filled carnage, Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) takes command of a surviving group of soldiers who soon secure victory behind German lines. Meanwhile, communication is received by General George C. Marshall (Harve Presnell) that three of four brothers have been pronounced K.I.A. The last brother, James Ryan (Matt Damon), however, is listed as missing. Marshall soon assigns the task of finding Ryan, so he can be sent home to his family, so they won't have to endure a complete and total loss. The task eventually falls on Miller's shoulders, and he assembles a team to go after this guy with the ultimate hope that in rescuing him, they can finally be sent home as well.

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Accompanying Miller on this mission are Sergeant Mike Horvath (Tom Sizemore), Private Richard Reiben (Edward Burns), Private Adrian Caparzo (Vin Diesel before he made a name for himself), Private Stanley Mellish (Adam Goldberg, not to be confused with Adam F. Goldberg of 'The Goldbergs' fame), Private Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper), medic, Irwin Wade (Giovanni Ribisi), and interpreter Timothy Upham (Jeremy Davies). So all things considered, we actually have quite a cast going here. And that's just as well, because so much of what this movie is about is the camaraderie between these characters and how well they play off each other.

This has since been a pretty good one to compare notes with friends on as far as these characters go, and who our favourites are. It's kind of remarkable how many people don't go with Miller, but sooner relate to one of the side characters. Speaking for myself, I always thought the sniper, Daniel Jackson, was the most badass and unassuming of the bunch. But honestly, there's something to like about everyone here. It's one of those situations where no one could be blamed for favouring any one of these characters, mostly because the film gives them all a very human aspect to their personalities. 

However, so much of this movie's awesomeness goes far beyond these lovable characters. Going back to that opening scene at Normandy, along with several other moments of combat throughout the movie, one must understand that this marked a bit of a turning point in things. Other directors have been influenced by this movie with their works, which apparently even include superhero films! Visually speaking, it's kind of remarkable in the way everything is filmed, in its own way making art out of the chaos that war entails. The sound design, practical effects and the intriguing choice to leave music out of major battle scenes to establish realism are all brilliantly done.

For all of its efforts, it received no shortage of award nominations, and as far as war movies stand, tends to be seen as historically significant. I mean, yes, it's based on a true story and all that comes with that (like maybe altering the story just a bit), but I mean the movie itself. Since its release, it pretty much set the bar as one of the best war movies ever made - shortly following another one, 'Schindler's List', a few years prior, also from Spielberg. It does seem safe to me to say that when it comes to making historical war movies well, Spielberg has the right touch for it. I mean, even if you're not a fan of some of them, you have to admit that they are ultimately successful. The man knows how to match entertainment and history together.

For a little while, I actually claimed this to be my all-time favourite film. This was way before I actually sat down and analyzed what should actually have that distinction. But I can't deny the overall impact this one has on me in my later teen years. Indeed, it did turn into a movie I watched quite often, and to this day, it still makes for one of my all-time favourites. It makes for some good story-telling, and it gets to the viewer with a range of emotions. A lot of the dialogue can make you laugh, a lot of stand-alone scenes can make you tear up, and a lot of the action can push you to the edge of your seat, or even make you cringe with a bit of horror.

With it still being widely considered one of the best war movies ever made, I have to admit that my overall familiarity with war movie classics is extremely slim. So I don't know for sure, but one may very well come along as I go through them that ends up dethroning this. But for now, I'd have to put it at the top of my personal list. I think some may see this as something of an American propaganda film, but I think the most important takeaway from the film is the people involved, and one needs to pay more attention to the characters than the fact that they're Americans rescuing someone, and trying to be heroes. To each their own, I suppose, but if it's been a while for you, maybe check it out again. It holds up extremely well!