| | Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:37 pm | | | | Comments: 0 Views: 179 |
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Cohesion : 10
Composition : 9
Contrast : 4
Dynamics : 7
Humor : 1
Intelligence : 7
Production : 10
Quality : 9
Cohesion : 10
"Letters From Iwo Jima" takes viewers through the Battle of of Iwo Jima while perfectly balancing between story, characters, and battle sequences. I was impressed by the way this film emphasized distinct cultural characteristics while using some of the most graphic special effects I have ever seen. Carnage palpably enforces core assumptions in "Letters From Iwo Jima" and by doing so the impact of the story is more significant.
Composition : 9
Perhaps it's because of the subtitles, but I thought this film was much more tight and convincing than "Flag of Our Fathers". Characters had a lot of pull, perhaps because of the cultural differences, but also because they each had a very interesting perspective on what was going on. These different intertwining perspectives combined with what appears to be authentic Japanese culture elevated the composition far above most films I have seen.
Contrast : 4
This is a dark war film. I wouldn't want to send you into it thinking anything to the contrary. However, the first half of "Letters From Iwo Jima" was devoted to trench digging and had a somewhat lighter look than the war torn second half. You won't be going into a film that is entirely composed in the caves, but there were only a few contrasting moments and they didn't feel well placed.
Dynamics : 7
The distinct cultural characteristics combined with the intertwining story lines provided for a fairly dynamic film. I think Clint Eastwood was trying to sum up how many of the Japanese felt about the war along side actuality and the senselessness of battle. It was well portrayed but had a University History teacher flavor to it that I sensed in "Flag of Our Fathers" as well.
Humor : 1
I can't think of any good jokes about the battle of Iwo Jima either.
Intelligence : 7
This film is well researched and constructed. It also makes a lot of sense when you place it alongside Eastwood's first tale of Iwo Jima "Flag of Our Fathers". However, there's an uncreative pseudo-intellectual quality behind Eastwood's stories that make me feel as though I'm reading a modern history book. I think you'll probably find that most historians really like this film, and I do too, but it's probably for different reasons. Despite any reservations I may have I think this is a very unique and modern breed of war film that puts Eastwood in his own class yet again.
Production : 10
You can actually see the bombs dropping and appendages turning into hamburger. Yuck!
Quality : 9
If I had a list of top 50 films of all time this film would probably be on it. I've got an urge to go see "Flag of Our Fathers" again just to re-evaluate my position on it. I like this film for a lot of the same reasons that I liked HG Wells' "Things to Come"; it's very telling of the way our world is currently looked at.
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