This movie is a lot of fun, but completely braindead. It’s twice as long as it needs to be and keeps trying to inject useless drama into what is clearly a sci-fi disaster flick.
Closest comparison: It’s like 2012 by way of The Day After Tomorrow.
Setting: Adventure
Plot: Disaster
Tone: Action
This movie is a moving tale of heroism in the face of extreme, brutal, gory, disturbing violence. It’s flawlessly executed and suitable viewing for almost no one. The pacing and dialogue ground the film in sober realism, which transitions from endearing quaintness to honest perseverance to grim determination throughout its course. Kurt Russell is outstanding and the entire case follows close behind, chewing the scenery the whole way. The resolution is more of a relief than a celebration, but if you can stomach the brutality it’s a very impressive film.
Content warnings: brief male and female nudity, extreme, brutal, gory, disturbing violence.
Closest comparison: It’s like The Searchers that turns into The Green Inferno.
Setting: Western
Plot: Rescue
Tone: Drama / Gorefest
This is a straightforward account of one of the major battles in the Pacific Theater of World War II, starting with the attack on Pearl Harbor and ending with the fight to defend the Midway Atoll. It’s an entertaining way to learn about historical events and as such the pacing is more that of a history book than a blockbuster action movie. The acting is fine; stilted in a few places, but on par for a military movie. The battles are multifaceted and interesting, and the film does a good job of keeping the audience apprised of the current tactics and stakes.
Closest comparison: It’s like Ford v Ferrari for WWII buffs.
Setting: War
Plot: War
Tone: War
This is a very uneven movie. Many times the visuals are stunning, gorgeous even. Then the actors dump exposition on the audience for a several minutes at a time. Jason Momoa is fun and endearing; Amber Heard is grating. Every fight scene has something really cool and something either bad or just dumb. There are two separate villain plots that push the runtime over 2.5 hours, and that would be fine if the dialogue was good or the characters were likable. Unfortunately, the stiff performances and lousy writing won out. Except for a few really great moments, this film is not worth your time.
Closest Comparison: It’s Thor: Ragnarok by way of Jupiter Ascending
