MovieChat Forums > Bitva za Sevastopol (2015) Discussion > Cliched, empty, typical modern russian m...

Cliched, empty, typical modern russian movie


This is one of modern Russian movies made for the lowest common
denominator. The plot and character motivations are over-the-top
explained as if makers of the movie was very afraid someone at the very
lowest end of intelligence scale will not understand everything. The
main character is not likable and her background or motivations for
being extremely reserved and grim person is never explained. Because of
unsympathetic main character the whole movie is very hard to care
about.

Battle scenes are very few for such a movie and serve as illustrations
rather than plot points. Some of the things taken from modern combat
and movies are just silly, like navy seals style training and
collecting tags from sniped enemies. That simply did not happen at that
time in history. Sniping scenes are very weak, especially when main
character hold the rifle it visually wobbles a lot until she pulls the
trigger and gets perfect shot. It's just laughable. There's a cliché
sniper-vs-sniper standoff subplot which ends way too quick, and ends in
confusing "Han Solo shot first" situation.

Also laughable are all the death scenes. Like actors came from some
provincial theater and try to portray dying in a most over-the-top
dramatic way.

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In other words, you have not watched much modern Russian cinema. Therefore, you're an expert in modern Russian cinema. Clearly.

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Hey, he probably watched Stalingrad, therefore he's qualified to speak on all Russian cinema. Just like I can watch Pearl Harbor and pronounce all American cinema to be insipid, directionless drivel with more money than brains.

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Heh indeedy.

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you obviously haven't seen any modern russian films, i absolutely despise them and i'm from there.
They usually horribly directed and acting is either over the top or absolutely horrendous, this however was top notch, both acting, directing and even sfx, makes Saving private Ryan look like a kids movie, it doesn't say much but still.

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I agree some of her sniping scenes were a joke. Sitting up like a rabbit her rifle shaking like a leaf and we have to suspend believe that this woman actually hit something. A joke surely? Plus, we're supposed to like this sour faced puss that numerous men fell in love with.

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"... collecting tags from sniped enemies. That simply did not happen at that
time in history."

I'd like to see your source for that claim, because I've seen it happen in a few war films, including this and "Enemy at the Gates". I've also heard of American snipers doing it to prove Japanese sniper kills. For snipers to claim their "confirmed kills" they'd surely need proof – what better than enemy dogtags – especialy important when they're facing "top" snipers and need to prove they have been eliminated and no longer pose a threat. Otherwise solo snipers might just go lie in cover for a while, far away from the action, discard a few bullets, then return to HQ later and say "I made X kills today" without anyone being wiser. Not every sniper was a willing cold-killer wanting to expose themselves to danger. Like any army, the Russians will also have had their fair share of shirkers.

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How would anyone know the names of enemy snipers in those days?

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Intelligence -- celebrated snipers were named for their deeds or spies found them out so they could be targeted for elimination to lower enemy morale.

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Yeah, I'm familiar with 'intelligence' and the average guy on the ground wouldn't have that knowledge.

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Define an "average guy" -- any army feeds information down through the ranks via reports and briefings, as well as word of mouth amongst the troops -- so knowing the enemy specifically would vary depending on how it is distributed. I am confused at to whether you are refering to someone specific from the film, however, or making a general observation.

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Well, quite frankly, I was impressed with the movie having never watched "modern Russian movies" I thought the cinematography was good. It was an interesting story.

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I don't watch too many contemporary Russian films but the style seemed very western for a film from a nation with such a proud cinematic history. Didn't really like the editing and camera work, which we have seen in so many films of the past 20 years. Some of the dramatic and funny scenes also felt like the makers were trying to follow what everyone else is already doing. I won't criticise the special effects because I do understand that this film was made for a fraction of the budget of an average western blockbuster. However I had hoped that Russian filmmakers would bring a very different stylistic angle to the genre but that was a bit disappointing. Still enjoyed the film though.

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