Dunkirk (the movie)

[Jayhawker Soule]

The Rotten Tomatoes tomatometer gives Dunkirk a rating of 93%. I would put it somewhere in the 65% - 75% range, and maybe a slight bit higher because of the predictably good work by Mark Rylance.

Am I wrong? (And yes, I know that such ratings are subjective.)

 

[Curious George]

The Rotten Tomatoes tomatometer gives Dunkirk a rating of 93%. I would put it somewhere in the 65% - 75% range, and maybe a slight bit higher because of the predictably good work by Mark Rylance.

Am I wrong? (And yes, I know that such ratings are subjective.)

You expected 25-35% of critics to poo-poo that movie?

 

[The Holy Bottom Burp]

I've only seen the trailer for it, I have to say I find WW2 fascinating but documentaries are far more interesting than films where you know there will always be a dollop of "artistic licence". Without seeing it I'm already beginning to side with you, for those reasons; it won't teach me anything new about the event. However, there are very few surviving veterans alive now, I imagine there are plenty of young people who know nothing about the event, so for that reason I think films like this serve a purpose. For some people history is only palatable when given the "Hollywood" treatment, so as long as it is historically accurate in terms of the sequence of events I like to see things like this to keep those mistakes of history in the public consciousness.

 

[metis]

My sister saw it and felt that is was mediocre, largely because of poor character development.

 

[leibowde84]

I've only seen the trailer for it, I have to say I find WW2 fascinating but documentaries are far more interesting than films where you know there will always be a dollop of "artistic licence". Without seeing it I'm already beginning to side with you, for those reasons; it won't teach me anything new about the event. However, there are very few surviving veterans alive now, I imagine there are plenty of young people who know nothing about the event, so for that reason I think films like this serve a purpose. For some people history is only palatable when given the "Hollywood" treatment, so as long as it is historically accurate in terms of the sequence of events I like to see things like this to keep those mistakes of history in the public consciousness.

According to Nolan, the movie is not intended to teach about WWII from any kind of high level. It is meant to give the experience of what it was like to be a young soldier on that beach ... terrifying, chaotic, gruesome, etc. Also, the heroism of the british who rescued them.

 

[SkepticThinker]

According to Nolan, the movie is not intended to teach about WWII from any kind of high level. It is meant to give the experience of what it was like to be a young soldier on that beach ... terrifying, chaotic, gruesome, etc. Also, the heroism of the british who rescued them.

It definitely succeeded in doing that, if you ask me. I found the musical score to be extremely intense and terrifying.

 

[leibowde84]

It definitely succeeded in doing that, if you ask me. I found the musical score to be extremely intense and terrifying.

I haven't seen it yet, but I am dying to. And, I've heard the same thing about the score. But, that isn't surprising, as the score to Interstellar was absolutely amazing.

 

[The Holy Bottom Burp]

According to Nolan, the movie is not intended to teach about WWII from any kind of high level. It is meant to give the experience of what it was like to be a young soldier on that beach ... terrifying, chaotic, gruesome, etc. Also, the heroism of the british who rescued them.

I see, a bit like Saving Private Ryan? I thought the opening "beach" scene in that film was brilliant, I've never served in the military, but I can't help but think it captured something of the chaos and bloodiness of actual combat.

I wasn't expecting the film to explain the circumstances around Dunkirk in detail, but I presume it goes into enough detail to give it context? I'll definitely get round to watching it, I'm a British bloke with an interest in military history, I don't think I can help myself...

 

[The Sum of Awe]

The Rotten Tomatoes tomatometer gives Dunkirk a rating of 93%. I would put it somewhere in the 65% - 75% range, and maybe a slight bit higher because of the predictably good work by Mark Rylance.

Am I wrong? (And yes, I know that such ratings are subjective.)

This is just my opinion.

I expected it to be a lot better. I mean, it was exciting, but not edge-of-the-seat exciting. Not because it was bad, but only because of the lack of background in the characters. They were in great circumstance, a lot of close calls, a lot of stressful situations, very intense, but I didn't know enough about these characters' backgrounds to care about them. To me, it's not as interesting to see someone fighting to live merely because that's what humans do as it is to know about what they are supposed to return to, their own personal meanings for life. (E.g. a family, a lover, a specific goal that they must accomplish, etc.)

I know a lot of people would disagree, it seems a lot of people had a lot more fun than I did watching this movie.

 

[leibowde84]

I see, a bit like Saving Private Ryan? I thought the opening "beach" scene in that film was brilliant, I've never served in the military, but I can't help but think it captured something of the chaos and bloodiness of actual combat.

I wasn't expecting the film to explain the circumstances around Dunkirk in detail, but I presume it goes into enough detail to give it context? I'll definitely get round to watching it, I'm a British bloke with an interest in military history, I don't think I can help myself...

Well, Christopher Nolan is the best director of our time, imho. So, either way I'm sure it is well worth watching.

 

[esmith]

Dunkirk was a dramatization of the epic rescue of a beleaguered allied army by the Royal Navy, the RAF, and civilians that knew it was their duty to do all they could at any cost
I think some of the criticism about the movie is from what today's movie goers expect from a "action" film.....extensive special effects; which in my opinion would have ruined the movie
The movie is not about individuals, it is, in my opinion, a movie about the willpower and courage of a country.

Then we have the PC critics like Brian Truitt. see Brian Truitt is ridiculed over Dunkirk 'diversity' review | Daily Mail Online

 

[Curious George]

Dunkirk was a dramatization of the epic rescue of a beleaguered allied army by the Royal Navy, the RAF, and civilians that knew it was their duty to do all they could at any cost
I think some of the criticism about the movie is from what today's movie goers expect from a "action" film.....extensive special effects; which in my opinion would have ruined the movie
The movie is not about individuals, it is, in my opinion, a movie about the willpower and courage of a country.

Then we have the PC critics like Brian Truitt. see Brian Truitt is ridiculed over Dunkirk 'diversity' review | Daily Mail Online

Is one only a PC critic for the moment they criticize an issue that you deem PC? There are plenty of critics which bring up pc issues. So, if these are also to be defined as PC critics, then Truit's criticism is not really representative of politically correct critics, is it?

 

[esmith]

Is one only a PC critic for the moment they criticize an issue that you deem PC? There are plenty of critics which bring up pc issues. So, if these are also to be defined as PC critics, then Truit's criticism is not really representative of politically correct critics, is it?

Guess I mistyped PC. What would you consider his criticism to be

 

[Curious George]

Guess I mistyped PC. What would you consider his criticism to be

Misguided.

 

[esmith]

Misguided.

You mean a total idiot?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Sir Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies, BFG) is an outstanding actor. In my opinion the movie would have benefited from more time dedicated to his character as owner/captain of one of the "little ships of Dunkirk" and less time committed to chaotic yet redundant swimming scenes.

 

[esmith]

Sir Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies, BFG) is an outstanding actor. In my opinion the movie would have benefited from more time dedicated to his character as owner/captain of one of the "little ships of Dunkirk" and less time committed to chaotic yet redundant swimming scenes.

good point

 

[Flankerl]

Then we have the PC critics like Brian Truitt. see Brian Truitt is ridiculed over Dunkirk 'diversity' review | Daily Mail Online

"A film critic has been ridiculed after claiming that there were not enough women and 'actors of colour' in World War II movie Dunkirk."

SJWs are a joke.

 

[LuisDantas]

According to Nolan, the movie is not intended to teach about WWII from any kind of high level. It is meant to give the experience of what it was like to be a young soldier on that beach ... terrifying, chaotic, gruesome, etc. Also, the heroism of the british who rescued them.

In that it succeeded quite well, IMO.

I kept thinking of how big a contrast it makes to "Black Hawk Down".

 

[leibowde84]

In that it succeeded quite well, IMO.

I kept thinking of how big a contrast it makes to "Black Hawk Down".

I thought it was much better. It was a new experience for a war movie, unlike BHD, which was more generic.