MovieChat Forums > Flags of Our Fathers (2006) Discussion > So boring

So boring

posted 17 years ago by ManiacCop
29 replies | jump to latest

This is right up there with Jarhead is one of the worst war movies ever made. It is a complete and utter bore with Zero connection to any of the main characters. There is no real flow to this movie, being that the flashbacks destroy all narrative. I understand and respect the soldiers and the concept was good, but the execution and overall life of this movie is pathetic. I cannot believe this scored a 7 on this site, as it is no more than a 5 at best. Standard, boring, uninspired drivel.

[–] sendo_jr 16 years ago

Yes i agree with you op,Letter from iwojima is 3 times more superior than this piece of junk.

[–] aGuiltySoul 16 years ago

To everyone who has posted how they were deeply affected by this film, I agree. It's a stunning tribute to the boys who fought and died in WWII. It's also a gripping drama about the nature of sacrifice and the way that war forever changes those who survive. To those who seemed to want a constantly action packed war drama, I hope you never have to fight in a war. My father fought in the South Pacific and I'm glad he made it home...I wouldn't be here writing this if he hadn't.

To sendo_jr: I'm glad you liked Letters from Iwo Jima. It was an outstanding film and something no one other than Clint Eastwood would have thought to film. But that being said, both films compliment each other and neither would be quite as riveting without the other.

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] LiftedX 15 years ago

I also agree that it was boring:

1)The constant flashbacks ruined continuity and pacing
2)The score was unmemorable compared to the likes of Saving Private Ryan
3)There was no attachment to any of the three heroes, yet they were the central significance of the story
4)The scenes featuring the three heroes being lionized at the public events were overdone and thoroughly boring

[–] rfa77 15 years ago

100% agree. Was eagerly anticipating this movie the couple years prior to it's release. Matter of fact, I was so eager, I went to see it the day before we went on vacation. Came out of the movie thoroughly, and utterly disappointed. Determined to tell all I knew who were thinking of seeing it not to bother - and I did. One of the few modern day war movies I have not bothered to buy on DVD. If I ever find it in the $1 bin - maybe.

[–] mr-wombosi 14 years ago

Completely agree, I kept expecting, wishing it to be over. 'Letters' was a decent film if not great and it had a much more interesting viewpoint. Even so Eastwood has done much better work than either film.

I even loved Gran Torino despite some awful acting on behalf of the chinese characters.

For someone so old he is really now just hitting a peak as director :)

[–] PlatinumScreen 15 years ago

maniaccop, i agree completely. like you i respect the event and its participants, but this movie falls desperately short. it bored me as well. it was disjointed due to the flashbacks. i felt nothing for the characters. in fact, how ironic that ryan phillippe's performance as doc bradley whose son wrote the book was by far the most robotic, zombie like portrayal in the whole movie. i would think that this performance would have risen above the others, but it did not.

i do hate that i did not like this movie as i loved the book. i read parts of the book to my students, and their mouths hung open in awe at the sacrifice and heroism displayed at iwo jima. i worry that those who only know of iwo jima from this movie will not fully understand nor appreciate the depth of what happened there.

[–] coolaree 14 years ago

I agree entirely with the OPs criticism...ie. by the end there was only a little connection to the main characters or any characters really (which is a major weakness considering the main theme of this movie), the flashbacks are disjointed and interrupt flow, though I understand their purpose, I suppose, it could have been done differently and better.

but I still kinda enjoyed this movie, 7/10 (interested in WWII...). Hell I even liked Jarhead...I just like all war movies ha...

I shall check out the book to see how it compares.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] m-slovak79 14 years ago

@ OP... ill generally disagree as i definitely liked the film but at the same time a 8.0/10 is definitely to high if you ask me for a average rating as i would say a mid 7's would have been plenty for it.

overall i give Iwo Jima a 7/10.

p.s. ill agree with the OP that Jarhead is nothing special either though but it was at least OK. i gave it a 6/10. but Mendes best film is easily 'Road to Perdition' (2002) (10/10) which is a masterpiece.

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[–] RomeoKnight 14 years ago

Anyone who think this was boring just likes movies where they just "blow s*it up", is underage or both. I think this was a very good movie. Different kind of war movie. And refreshingly non-patriotic. US war movie that non-US people can watch without cringing their teeth. This movie was not just about mindless killing and about glorifying or demonizing war or nations. It was about the flag (picture) that is so legendary and about people involved in it. Only negative thing was that the ending felt a bit stretched. I think the last 30 mins could have been shortened to 10 mins or so.

[–] Coneydogg 13 years ago

"This is right up there with Jarhead is one of the worst war movies ever made."

So very true. This film was just a depressing waste of time. Clint getting old must have depressed him out of his own mind.

[–] maniuis 13 years ago

Agree 100%