Hacksaw Ridge - Review

This is one of the most violent war movies I've ever seen! You may be thinking, "What in the world could beat that opening scene in Saving Private Ryan?" This can. Not only was this film intense to a whole other level, this film has some amazing heart and emotion behind it. Andrew Garfield is spectacular as Desmond Doss. He is so likable and so empathetic and he really caries this movie. From what he had to endure for simply refusing to touch a gun to his heroics on the battle field, we are right there with him. You just can't help but smile when he is on screen and falling in love with a nurse at the local hospital. He isn't the only good actor in this movie, though. Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington, and even Vince Vaughn are really well played and executed in this film. As for the battle scenes, you can watch all the war movies out there, (Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now, Fury, Black Hawk Down, American Sniper, you name it) you have never seen violence and intensity like this on screen. My jaw was on the floor. Mel Gibson really knows how to up the violence, the bloodshed and the pure shock value to whatever he films. Whether it be a battle in Middle Ages Scotland or the Death of Jesus Christ, Mel Gibson knows how to deliver the blood! Although, why this film? Why this story to tell? The moral of the story is that decent people in this world do exist who only want to help other people. How one man's courage and faith can save lives. Yes, this movie has some pretty heavy religious overtones to it, but when you see Desmond Doss running back to rescue all the wounded soldiers on the ground and praying to god for him to save "just one more" it's powerful stuff! That's the best way to explain this film, "powerful". How are the human relationships? Powerful. How is the emotion behind the events of the story and the actions of the characters? Powerful. Do you feel the death toll of war and the horrors of being on the battle field? YES, YOU DO! A powerful, powerful film that will move you in ways very few films can!