HACKSAW RIDGE (2017)

Genre: War / Drama

Running Length: 2:11

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey

Director: Mel Gibson

Screenplay: Andrew Knight, Robert Schenkkan 

Mel Gibson's road to atonement is finally completed with HACKSAW RIDGE. He has always been a capable director (and a manic actor) but unfortunately, his personal problems has caused him his reputation over the last decade. Granted that this movie is not the perfect redemption, but I can safely say he has made right and reconciled back to the inner circle of Hollywood.

Gibson has always gravitated towards tales of heroism and spirituality, and this film embraces both these elements. This is a true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), who refused to carry a weapon into the battlefield at Okinawa (during WW2) due to his convictions as a Christian. He believes his calling into "the hellfire of battle" is to save lives as a medic rather than taking them.

The movie has a distinct 3 segments; Doss' formative years, the army training episode and the battle scenes at Hacksaw Ridge. Although, the first and second acts were normal (it was actually pretty unremarkable), it was a necessary build up. Because when the characters which were established gets killed or horribly dismembered by the Japanese in the third act, we feel the gravity of the horrific situation as it unfolds. 

The battle scenes are reminiscent of the opening sequence from Saving Private Ryan. But I must say, Gibson's version is more prolonged and unflinching. This guy has an obsession with the physical effects of carnage on soft flesh (The Passion of the Christ, anyone?). The combat scenes are bloody and chaotic. The gore here is graphic but not gratuitous. 

Garfield's performance is solid and is worthy of his Oscar nomination. While Vaughn seemed to be an odd choice to be the cast as the drill sergeant, he grows into his character overtime. Also a shout out to Weaving, Worthington and Bracey for their limited-but-affecting performance. 

Gibson is one of those rare directors (come to think of it, I can't think of any others) who can pull off a balance between extreme violence and delivering a clear spiritual message. As the version I watched in the cinema has no cuts, I would suggest you quickly catch it before our local audiences file a complain. 

RATING: 8.5/10

  

EVEREST (2015)

Genre: Adventure/Drama
Running Length: 2:01
Cast: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emily Watson, Kiera Knightley, Michael Kelly, Naoko Mori, Sam Worthington
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Screenplay: William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy

"Mother Nature may be forgiving this year, or next year, but eventually she's going to come around and whack you." Geraldo Rivera 

 

Do not be tricked into thinking that EVEREST will leave you breathless with stunning visuals and edge-of-your-seat suspense. At least that's what the trailer attempts to communicate. This is no Cliffhanger action adventure movie. Yes, the visual of Mount Everest is majestic, but this movie is more of a man-versus-nature genre. The film reminds us again that mother nature doesn't care about heroism, kindness, friendship, your family or your pregnant wife. She doesn't play by the rules.

 

Based on a true story, this film chronologized a group of climbers' expedition to the mountain's summit in 1996. Of course, not everyone made it down safely. So if you've no prior background to what really happened (who made it, and who didn't), please leave it that way when you walk into the cinema. The emotional payout will be better. 

 

And speaking of that, this movie needs to be experienced on the big screen and not on TV or worse, a tablet/phone. As good as the top notch cast are (given that their characters are fairly one-dimensional), the true stars of the movie are the director of photography, the visual effects people and of course, the mountain ranges. Audience will certainly feel like they are right there, experiencing the somber tragedy of the mountain slowly becoming the executioner and tomb for certain climbers. Although I caught the movie on the normal 2-D version, I'm pretty sure the IMAX 3D version would be more immersive.

 

As one of the characters in the movie said, "The mountain will always have the last say". 

 

Rating: 8/10