unbroken
2015 review number 15:
Unbroken: (War/Drama/Action): 71 out of 100: Angelina Jolie's second movie as a director has her documenting the true life story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini and his epic tale of survival in a life raft followed by his ordeal in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. It is more of an entertaining recount than a powerful and intense one.
Louis Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) was bullied at school and discovered his calling through running. He competes at the 1936 Olympic Games in the 5,000 metre race after shattering all records as a schoolboy. Enter World War II and his plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. He survives 47 days in a raft with a fellow crewman, Phil (Domhnall Gleeson), evading enemy gunfire and sharks. Their raft is spotted by the Japanese navy and they are led away to a prisoner-of war camp where Zamperini is unjustly treated by the sadistic commander, Watanabe (Miyavi).
O'Connell satisfyingly exudes the emotional and physical pain to the role of Zamperini. We feel his anguish and torment as he is being subjected to the harsh conditions. Miyavi is very convincing as the Japanese commander who inflicts torture on Zamperini. These are the two most memorable roles while the other roles are reduced to stock characters.
The film opens brilliantly in an air battle which demonstrates the effectiveness of the sound effects. You feel that this could be truly one memorable and excellent war film. However, what follows is more of a documentation of Zamperini's struggles rather than a powerful epic. There's nothing wrong with that if you don't mind a story that is told in a paint-by-numbers style. If you prefer a war movie that is powerful and risk-taking then you might feel a little underwhelmed.
Roger Deakins' cinematography is magnificent and his efforts have been duly rewarded with an Oscar nomination. You can see the greatness in the cinematography during the air battle scenes and the landscape settings. The era has also been recreated splendidly in the set design. All the settings make you feel as if you are actually there.
"Unbroken" is a good war film rather than a great one. It had the potential to be a powerful war epic but it is still interesting and entertaining enough for you to not notice the long running time. If you like true life war stories, you should be intrigued by this one.
Starring Jack O'Connell and Domhnall Gleeson
(137 minutes)
Parental advice: Violence, adult themes and nudity
Additional scene during or after trailer: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrjJbl7kRrI (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Friday 30th January, 2015)
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