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'Dunkirk': Nolan's Waterloo

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Posted on July 20, 2017 at 18:43:08
Billy Wonka
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 Chris Nolan: boy genius, complex plots, tons of CGI and special effects, and operating budgets that match second world countries. That's our boy! But all that was missing this time out. This is the worst film he has ever made.

There was nothing very exciting or compelling in his telling of this historical moment. The script was lackluster, the performances were small screen BBC, and the lack of money invested showed everywhere. There was a terribly thin veneer of extras, ships, small vessels, and CGI aircraft. If you look beyond the forefront of the action you don't see much at all. I'm not sure what he was thinking but this film was obviously for the "home crowd".

And, once again, I had trouble understanding the dialog from frame one. What is his sound guy doing? Close miking or what?

This film was like a very lazy version of an essay: "What I did in Dunkirk over the summer". It just didn't get the blood boiling and the overall lack of action was disappointing. I had been chomping at the bit for this one but it has ended up being the 'La La Land' of war movies.

I'm wondering if this is going to get super ratings because it is Chris Nolan? Maybe by critics but probably not by viewers. I should have known something was up when it showed on the smallest screen this evening.

Being a "boomer" movie many will go and many will like it but I am not one of the Nolan fanboys who will sing it praises.

 

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RE: 'Dunkirk': Nolan's Waterloo, posted on August 14, 2017 at 01:57:56
Frihed89
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 I agree. Plotless, no real characters and horrid acting, a sequence of disasters episodes, with nothing of interest in between.

It might not have been so bad on YouTube.

 

I liked it! A interesting approach to explaining the event. (nt), posted on August 7, 2017 at 05:56:59
Steve O
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RE: 'Dunkirk': Nolan's Waterloo, posted on August 4, 2017 at 20:04:15
Albert B. Broman
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 So you had trouble understanding it too. I thought it was me.

 

I liked it more than you to say the least, posted on July 25, 2017 at 13:43:56
tunenut
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 I find Nolan to be inconsistent. I liked his first dark knight. I thought interstellar was one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

I thought his was a visceral and tightly constructed war movie. Yes, the words were hard to understand. In combat, they probably would be.

I found this exciting in the way a big screen movie experience is at its best. Nothing complex, music and sound and life and death. This is one I would probably not care for on the home screen. But it drew me quite intensely in on the xd size screen. I don't know much about World War II history so i personally did not know what would happen. So yeah, for me his Waterloo was interstellar, This was a redemption.

 

Saw it tonight., posted on July 25, 2017 at 18:53:49
volunteer
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 Liked it but found it too small in scale to recreate the undertaking and what was accomplished.


-Wendell

 

Yes, posted on July 25, 2017 at 19:13:48
Ross
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 Very much a failure to see the forest for the trees. One failed to gain a full perspective of the magnitude of the conflict.

I found the movie to be a bit claustrophobic, with some elements reminiscent of Das Boot.

Light on dialogue....

 

Just saw it in IMAX..., posted on July 23, 2017 at 16:29:19
mkuller
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 ...and I would say it's an interesting story, masterfully told.

It was loud in places but no more than it would have been at the multiplex. I was able to understand most of the dialogue.

There's plenty of action, suspense and thrills to satisfy those except for the most jaded.

I would predict Mark Ryland will be nominated for another academy award.

The last war film I saw that was this intimate with the characters was probably Das Boot. Everything is up close - it really shows the fear on the young British soldier's faces.

But I can see why some have been disappointed because it's not your usual big battle, shoot-em-up war film - it has much more subtlety, intimacy and character than that.

Recommended for those who know what they're going to see (and not see) - I'd give it 3 out of 4 stars.

 

RE: I would pose a question prior to seeing this movie......, posted on July 23, 2017 at 11:46:04
user510
 ....why make it? As part of the battle for France, the Dunkirk episode highlights the evacuation of British and Allied forces out of France prior to the Nazi conquest of that country.

Yes, history records it as a heroic struggle to escape and retreat from the dominant forces of the Nazi war machine. A harrowing story to be sure. Yet, it was an early --defeat-- for the allied forces, as was the conquest of France itself. History has documented the events of it in detail. So I ask; where is the movie in this? Why bother to retell this story?

I guess I'd have to see it and answer the question for myself. Thanks for the review. I'll save funds from my movie budget for something with the promise of being more enjoyable. I'll see it on the small screen, within my home, where I can pause the movie to take breaks with regard to the re-filling and draining of my bladder.

Here's a setup for the next question I pose:
In the spring of 2015 I paid to see in imax 3d "madmax fury road". I'm not really a fan of that franchise but I'd heard that it was a good production and at the time nothing more interesting was being shown in theaters. I came away from that experience thinking that it was indeed a good production and a story with heart, but....well....meh, not my glass of ale.

Given this, if the choice in the imax 3d theater was between Fury Road or Dunkirk. Which would you go see; Fury Road or Dunkirk?


-Steve

 

'Fury Road'. I'd cross the street to AVOID 'Dunkirk'. (NT), posted on July 27, 2017 at 01:25:59
jeffreybehr
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 .

 

RE: 'Fury Road'. I'd cross the street to AVOID 'Dunkirk'. (NT), posted on July 27, 2017 at 11:34:53
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
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 Hi,
I just saw Dunkirk in Imax. I could not wait for the DVD. I think it was fantastic!
If you are a student of history or just like the history channel this is a must.If your married or have a girlfriend split up at the theater and let her go watch Notebook. If she does not know what a Stuka divebomber or what engine the Marine Spitfire uses don't let her go.
There was never a lull or boring part and it looks like they spent a billion dollars on realism.
My ears are still ringing but thats I guess thats part of war,now in films. Since this is basically an Audio forum, if you go to Imax you will wonder why the sub-woofers or tweeters have not blown up like somethings on the screen.
I could not name an actor which might be good. In Private Ryan when Ted Danson pops up Sam Malone from Cheers kind of distracts from the film.
I paid 15.99 for the matinee and it was worth every penny....Mark Korda

 

they used models for some of the airplane scenes and no carnage after bombings. You call that realism? Nt, posted on July 28, 2017 at 13:53:05
geoffkait
 Nt

 

You mean Deafkirk. Saw it at the IMAX tonight, posted on July 22, 2017 at 22:38:53
jdaniel@jps.net
 Just a couple of observations:

1) Too loud. If my hearing's damaged, by the screeching planes towards the beginning, I'm suing everyone.

2) The English dressed very nicely for war.

3) Zimmer's intrusive score annoyed me. The movie is set during an era that was screamingly analog: hand-sewn this, hand-pounded that...such a beautiful world before plastic, (!) but I digress. The composer's pulsating, synthesized score seemed very incongruous as a backdrop to wool sweaters and calf-skin oxygen masks. PS: nice try with Elgar's Nimrod Variation in ultra slow mo', when all the fishing boats showed up to save the day, shameful that the only tolerable music wasn't credited at the end.

I wasn't impressed, but still feeling a little melancholy. Did the movie get under my skin? Or was it the $20 ticket?

Hmmm.

 

I NEVER go to the movies without, posted on July 23, 2017 at 08:55:51
oldmkvi
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Posts: 10584
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 EARPLUGS!
Don't leave home without them...

 

Seriously, but I totally forgot because I was running late. The last night's volume was absurdly loud. t, posted on July 23, 2017 at 09:59:53
jdaniel@jps.net
 .

 

This week's Time magazine..., posted on July 22, 2017 at 14:20:48
mkuller
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 ...had a 3 page review entitled, "The Miracle of Dunkirk", raving about it.

Then a 2 page interview with Nolan.

The reviewer who is not a fan of IMAX, recommended this one is best ween on IMAX.

After reading all this, now I want to see it.

 

Consider the source. Nt, posted on July 22, 2017 at 15:27:28
geoffkait
 Nt

 

Hope you are brainless enough to like it . . . , posted on July 22, 2017 at 14:24:48
Billy Wonka
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 can't you see what all the hype is about? Nolan's name.

 

Actually it'snot about Nolan..., posted on July 22, 2017 at 14:35:31
mkuller
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 ...this is a very different film than any other he's made.

It's about the young men who went to war and the British citizens with boats who saved them.

Based on a true story, it has very little CGI and a lot of emotion, according the the reviews.

Maybe that's what you didn't understand.

I urge you to read the Time magazine article here and see where you disagree.

 

If only it were about the soldiers stranded there and..., posted on July 23, 2017 at 16:23:51
jeffreybehr
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 ...the brave British civilians who risked their lives to rescue them.

It's a LITTLE movie that isn't much about the EPIC stories centered on Dunkirk. I think it's such a poor imitation of that overall story that it fails miserably while assaulting viewers' ears with Zimmer's horrible 'music'. I LOVE WWII movies, even those that are just fair. This one's embarrasingly BAD.

And where are the French in this movie, besides manning the barricades in the town's streets?

 

Keep up a brave face . . , posted on July 22, 2017 at 15:55:28
Billy Wonka
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 I don't read time TIME. You are entitled to your opinions which mean little since you haven't seen the film.

 

And you are welcome to your opinion..., posted on July 22, 2017 at 16:09:27
mkuller
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 ...just like on the Dinesh D'souza films.

 

Thnx for another great, understandable, review, posted on July 21, 2017 at 21:36:16
Road Warrior
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 You let us know where you're coming from and that makes a big difference to me. I was afraid it would turn out as you said. Hans Zimmer scores have pretty nearly ruined movies for me. Way too fn in yer face. I enjoyed Interstellar much more at home as I can tweak channel volumes to where dialogue is understandable. Subtitles don't hurt either ;->

Dunkirk was an EPIC event and its story should be told as such.
----------------------

"E Burres Stigano?"


 

Sounds like one of those subjects too big for a movie., posted on July 21, 2017 at 18:35:21
free.ranger
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 A lot of these criticisms might be from trying to squeeze too big of a story into a 2-hour movie. If the scope of the event is too large, a director can chop up into vignettes or personal stories within, and let the magnitude be inferred.

Seen it before in various other flicks. Dune comes to mind.


 

I made it through one hour successfully. A stupid man's Saving Pvt. Ryan nt, posted on July 21, 2017 at 16:22:55
geoffkait
 Nt

 

Damn! Was looking forward to seeing it!, posted on July 21, 2017 at 13:24:07
Eldragon
 But, now going with low expectations - maybe I'll like it.

 

Best way to approach it . . . , posted on July 21, 2017 at 15:15:18
Billy Wonka
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 There are war junkies that will think any war movie is grand. I rarely read critics and have no idea why they like this--Nolan?

 

If you read the two links I shared..., posted on July 22, 2017 at 16:12:27
mkuller
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 >I...have no idea why they like this...>

...you will see why they liked it.

You don't have to agree with them.

 

Both local critics raved about it..., posted on July 21, 2017 at 10:55:05
mkuller
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 ...highest rating, best film Nolan has made, best movie so far this year, etc.

One said it put you right in the middle of what is going on.

Of course, the critics can't determine if you will like it.

WWII films don't interest me much - I may see it on video.

 

RE: Both local critics raved about it..., posted on July 21, 2017 at 12:13:32
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
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 Hi,
Billy and Jeff, I respect your reviews and am also a big fan of WW2 movies. I was going to go to the theater but will wait for the DVD now.
Some movies like the Dukes Operation Pacific just get me going. With that movie the music soundtrack just wants you to haul up the red, white, and blue. Sounds like this one is a snore.
As far as having a good story with a surprisingly great ending I think the Big Red One is number 1. As far as realism I would say Fury, even over Private Ryan...Mark Korda

 

If you are looking for "The Longest Day" . . . , posted on July 21, 2017 at 15:13:54
Billy Wonka
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 You will be disappointed. It seems that Nolan stitched together a series of concurrent personal interest stories instead of showing us the broad sweeps of attempted annihilation.

Example: The air attacks were represented by just a few Stuka's at a time and singular He-111's attacking ships--as if the Luftwaffe wasn't up for the job. The personal conflict outweighed the battle at hand which made it a non-war war movie for me.

 

You are so right, Billy. It's an ill-conceived movie...., posted on July 21, 2017 at 00:41:19
jeffreybehr
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 ...that absolutely wastes its excellent subject. There is nothing special about anything.

The 'music' by Hans Zimmer was simply dreadful, FAR too present, noisy, and pounding; my ears were exhausted when it was over.

I award it 1-1/2 stars if the 'music' were removed and one-half star as presented.

Two big thumbs down from me and my friend.

 

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