Gibson is drawn to Jesus-like characters who stick to their convictions and sacrifice everything for a greater good. These are passionate stories that he tells, stories that are usually great for movies.
Good, authentically American characters played by a mostly Australian cast. Garfield is amazingly authentic, nailing it in a breakout role. Could see an Oscar here. He’s reminiscent of Matthew Modine’s Private Joker in Full Metal Jacket, a man wrestling with the morality of war. Weaving plays a fantastic Virginia redneck, could see him get an Oscar as well. Rachel Griffiths is always good. Vaughn is reminiscent of Ermey’s sergeant in Full Metal Jacket, but Vaughn is neither as funny nor dramatic.
The action and violence is intense, right up there with Saving Private Ryan. But the movie as a whole falls just short of having the polish of Ryan.
I'm a
Recent Comments