Midway

While I know a lot of reviewers liked the 1976 version of "Midway", for someone who knows about aircraft, it's a frustrating film. Again and again and again, the film uses old footage...much of which show planes which never fought at this famous sea battle! And, in a few cases, you'd see fighter planes turn into dive bombers and the like....all due to sloppy editing and a 'it's good enough' attitude. Because of this, I strongly recommend you see the 2019 version, which gets around this issue by using CGI...and modern CGI is incredible and looks real. Well made, but not perfect, but a very good film for folks who are interested in war films and history.

By the way, I wrote a review for this a few months ago and it never appeared on this site. It was much more detailed...but I just haven't seen it recently enough to review it more in depth.

Abundant, not-quite-realistic computer-generated images make Midway look more like a video game than a depiction of real-life events. The overuse of subpar effects is the most dominant - but hardly the only - problem dogging this film. Epic war stories are difficult to tell without focusing on a few characters. This film unsuccessfully juggles too many plot threads and too many characters to keep an emotional anchor to the simulated events unfolding. Woody Harrelson is outstanding, but other cast members cannot overcome the limitations of the material and the challenges of acting on computer-generated sets.

Especially when it comes to Ed Skrein's lines, the writing of this script was so bad. Attempts at drama come off as embarrassing. Also for some reason I just don't like Ed Skrein in this role. This movie could have been good, but it just had me shaking my head the whole time.

Midway delivers a solid, visually striking depiction of one of World War II's most pivotal battles. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the film is packed with breathtaking aerial combat scenes, impressive special effects, and a clear respect for the historical significance of the events it portrays.

The standout feature of Midway is its dedication to historical accuracy. From the strategic decisions to the portrayal of key figures like Admiral Chester Nimitz (Woody Harrelson) and Lt. Dick Best (Ed Skrein), the film successfully immerses viewers in the high stakes of the Pacific Theater. The cast does a commendable job, with standout performances from Harrelson and Dennis Quaid, although some dialogue can feel a bit stiff and overly dramatic at times.

While the action scenes are gripping, the movie's pacing struggles in places. The focus on numerous characters and events, while admirable for its scope, can feel overwhelming and disjointed, leaving some storylines underdeveloped.

Overall, Midway is a respectful and thrilling tribute to the bravery of those who fought in the Battle of Midway. While it doesn't quite reach the emotional depth of films like Saving Private Ryan, its action-packed sequences and historical focus make it a worthy watch for fans of war movies and history buffs.

As someone very knowledgeable about the subject, I was somewhat disappointed. Whether it was the wrinkled uniforms, the painful dialogue, the over-the-top dramatics and exaggerated explosions (hey, it's Emmerich!)... it was clear the film was not made for people like me who know the details and the characters very well.

The rating depends greatly on the target audience. It's clear this film was made for a younger audience, and as such, it does a very good job of conveying the history quite accurately. It's a lot to take on with a 2:20 movie (complete with a 6-month summary of events leading up to the title battle) and it does a fine job of that.

Correct history of this great nation tragically just isn't taught anymore, so I heartily applaud any effort to do so. I just wonder if younger audiences have any desire to learn it. So if I'm rating from that perspective, it jumps up a few points.

I just wish a little more care with the details and script had been taken to leave the older audience satisfied from our knowledge level.