Based on true events, Hacksaw Ridge tells the story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), an American army medic who, due to his religious and personal beliefs, refuses to take a life, or even touch a gun. Because of his crucial role in saving 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa, Doss becomes the first conscientious objector in history to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Hacksaw Ridge is Mel Gibson's directorial return after ten years, and while his personal life has been complicated over the years, I was willing to put all of that aside and just enjoy this film for what it is. No matter what he's said in the past, Mel Gibson is a talented director, and this film is a clear showcase for that talent, because Hacksaw Ridge is one of the best and most engaging war films I've seen in a long time.
The key element to what made this film work was tone. When the film started, it was nothing short of extremely cheesy, and that cheesiness only grew as the film went on. At first, this worried me, because everything was just so corny, but when the war scenes on Hacksaw Ridge itself begin, that extremely positive tone is completely destroyed. The nostalgic, light-hearted atmosphere that the film creates is completely shattered by brutal, visceral action scenes. The juxtaposition between the romanticized, peaceful life and the true horrors of war makes those battle scenes all the more effective.
Mel Gibson really pulls no punches in the war scenes, which are on the level of Saving Private Ryan, possibly surpassing it in terms of gore and shock. Limbs are torn off, flesh hangs limply off broken bodies, soldiers are set on fire, have holes torn through them, or are blown to pieces. It's horrifying to watch, and while Desmond is able to help, and is able to save many lives, there's a feeling of futility that's always present. With all the violence, there's almost no cursing, which was an interesting element of the film. While there are some clichés present in the earlier scenes, they only serve to establish a more lighthearted tone, all of which are completely forgotten when the bullets start flying. It's very over-the-top, but the whole movie is, so that's not a negative aspect.
Normally, "based on true events" makes me clock out early of a film, but the story being told was a very compelling one. The tone of early scenes made me nervous, because if they are portraying a real man's story, they should stick to a realistic feeling. But when Desmond is put into battle, the terrifying, frantic environment is very engrossing. Andrew Garfield did a fantastic job in this film, and he had a lot of emotional ground to cover. Garfield really is a great actor, and he brings a very grounded, human feeling to Desmond. He's never preachy in his beliefs, but they're well-defined, and Desmond as a person is both sympathetic and heroic. His story is an interesting one, and the final moments of the film, where we're given a glimpse at true reality, really work.
The acting in general was fantastic, and a showcase for some truly great Australian talent above all. Actors like Richard Roxburgh, Matt Nable, Luke Bracey, and Sam Worthington, though their parts were small, really did shine. Even Vince Vaughn, who I have a strong dislike for, was enjoyable in this movie. Some actors appearing was a pleasant surprise, like Hugo Weaving, who delivered the most emotionally powerful scene in the film. The characters within Desmond's unit aren't extremely well-defined, and are just given some basic characteristics. While seeing them die didn't carry much weight, I found myself rooting for them nonetheless. The most recognizable clichés came with some of these characters, especially the plethora of "I was wrong about you" moments near the end of the film, but the real footage at the end of the film shows that that was a real part of Desmond Doss' life, so those moments are justified. No matter how cheesy or overblown the film could be, I was still very invested in what was happening, and there was a strong, palpable feeling of victory at the end.
Hacksaw Ridge is a fantastically-made war film, which captures the heart and humanity of its protagonist in the midst of one of the most terrifying and inhumane environments in the world. As a historical film, it's very charming, yet it's also shocking and horrifying in the midst of battle. It's appropriately uplifting and engaging, with the emotional lows and brutal violence making the high points soar even higher. You can think whatever you want about Mel Gibson, but you can't deny that he can make a great film.
Hacksaw Ridge is Mel Gibson's directorial return after ten years, and while his personal life has been complicated over the years, I was willing to put all of that aside and just enjoy this film for what it is. No matter what he's said in the past, Mel Gibson is a talented director, and this film is a clear showcase for that talent, because Hacksaw Ridge is one of the best and most engaging war films I've seen in a long time.
The key element to what made this film work was tone. When the film started, it was nothing short of extremely cheesy, and that cheesiness only grew as the film went on. At first, this worried me, because everything was just so corny, but when the war scenes on Hacksaw Ridge itself begin, that extremely positive tone is completely destroyed. The nostalgic, light-hearted atmosphere that the film creates is completely shattered by brutal, visceral action scenes. The juxtaposition between the romanticized, peaceful life and the true horrors of war makes those battle scenes all the more effective.
Mel Gibson really pulls no punches in the war scenes, which are on the level of Saving Private Ryan, possibly surpassing it in terms of gore and shock. Limbs are torn off, flesh hangs limply off broken bodies, soldiers are set on fire, have holes torn through them, or are blown to pieces. It's horrifying to watch, and while Desmond is able to help, and is able to save many lives, there's a feeling of futility that's always present. With all the violence, there's almost no cursing, which was an interesting element of the film. While there are some clichés present in the earlier scenes, they only serve to establish a more lighthearted tone, all of which are completely forgotten when the bullets start flying. It's very over-the-top, but the whole movie is, so that's not a negative aspect.
The acting in general was fantastic, and a showcase for some truly great Australian talent above all. Actors like Richard Roxburgh, Matt Nable, Luke Bracey, and Sam Worthington, though their parts were small, really did shine. Even Vince Vaughn, who I have a strong dislike for, was enjoyable in this movie. Some actors appearing was a pleasant surprise, like Hugo Weaving, who delivered the most emotionally powerful scene in the film. The characters within Desmond's unit aren't extremely well-defined, and are just given some basic characteristics. While seeing them die didn't carry much weight, I found myself rooting for them nonetheless. The most recognizable clichés came with some of these characters, especially the plethora of "I was wrong about you" moments near the end of the film, but the real footage at the end of the film shows that that was a real part of Desmond Doss' life, so those moments are justified. No matter how cheesy or overblown the film could be, I was still very invested in what was happening, and there was a strong, palpable feeling of victory at the end.
Hacksaw Ridge is a fantastically-made war film, which captures the heart and humanity of its protagonist in the midst of one of the most terrifying and inhumane environments in the world. As a historical film, it's very charming, yet it's also shocking and horrifying in the midst of battle. It's appropriately uplifting and engaging, with the emotional lows and brutal violence making the high points soar even higher. You can think whatever you want about Mel Gibson, but you can't deny that he can make a great film.
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