The film contains no drama, no storytelling, no dramatic arch.
The film uses archival footage and narrative from soldiers who were in conflict.
This limited the filmmaker's scope. While I have no doubt Peter Jackson did a marvelous job given the limitations in which he had to work, the limitations severely limited what the movie could be.
First, only scenes which were captured by contemporary cameramen could be used. (There were some drawings Incorporated into the story telling.)
Second, only narratives provided by soldiers were used.
Because the movie shots were primarily used for propaganda purposes, most include smiling faces, laughing and joking soldiers.
Because the narratives are those of survivors recorded decades after the war, most of the dialogue is distant from the action and mediated/moderated by many years.
The viewer feels at arms length from the movie.
Instructive and appreciated are the technical feats required to enliven the source material. That makes the film more "watchable", but does not make for a movie I would recommend.
Review of They Shall Not Grow Old
They Shall Not Grow Old
(II) (2018)
Technical prowess, yes. Watchable, not really satisfying.
3 February 2019