“Saving Private Ryan” is considered by some to be the greatest war film ever made. The 1998 Steven Spielberg epic production would cost $70 million, and go on to win five of the eleven Academy Awards it was nominated for.
The opening sequence is incredibly well known amongst movie fans, and rightfully so. Depicting the events of June 6, 1944 when the US forces landed on Omaha Beach, you won’t find a more chilling and realistic display of the utter carnage that occurred. Spielberg holds nothing back in the depiction of the raw carnage and complete chaos of the event. The sites are bloody, the sounds horrific. I found myself simultaneously wishing there was actual footage of the event, and thankful that there’s not.
Tom Hanks may very well be the greatest actor of my generation. The 90s saw him dominate the big screen with a slew of legendary performances in box office megahits like “Philadelphia,” “Forest Gump,” “Apollo 13.” Here, Hanks takes command – literally and figuratively – as Captain John H. Miller. Hanks, as usual, delivers a fantastic performance in the role of a character no one today can ever imagine being.
Hanks is joined by an impressive ensemble of big names. Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Jeremy Davies, Vin Diesel, Adam Goldberg, Barry Pepper, Giovani Ribisi, Dennis Farina, Ted Dansen, Bryan Cranston, Harve Presnell, and Paul Giamatti – the list sounds like more like a fantasy football roster. Each actor is great with their performance, no matter how big or small it may be.
The cinematography is fantastic, with the setting looking the part of a war ravaged Europe. I also loved the comradery that the cast has with each other. We get the sense that these men have witnessed untold horrors together, and still continue to press on.
While the opening scenes are amazing, I did find myself fidgeting in my seat as the movie progressed. The 169 minute run time is not one that flies by, and while I can appreciate the need to provide depth, backdrop, and occasional comic relief in an otherwise harrowing tale, a bit of tightening would have done wonders. And while the performances are great, seeing Tom Hanks and Matt Damon does take you slightly out of the realm of reality and into the territory of this is only a movie.
“Saving Private Ryan” is a great film. War buffs will find enjoyment as equally as casually movie lovers. There are great performances and truly memorable and emotional scenes throughout. Today is Tom Hanks’ 65th birthday – let’s hope he has many more epic performances to give us.
