I hover between 9 and 10 stars for this film (director's cut version). The film is excellent and achieves all it set out to do, spinning a finely-crafted narrative while dripping dark noir themes. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it did feel a little long at times and the special effects with the final fight felt underwhelming. I really don't want to give anything away with this movie, it's better to go in knowing as little as possible (and there are thousands of detailed reviews already). Just make sure to see the director's cut first as the theatrical cut contains it's own spoilers!
Reviews
3 Reviews
Operation Red Sea
(2018)
Post-9/11/GWOT jingoistic American propaganda war film about the PLA Chinese military
7 January 2019
This movie was so worth it! A post-9/11/GWOT era patriotic American-style action film, except about the PLA Chinese military. I mean it flows beat-for-beat exactly as American SPEC-OPs counterterror movies but the heroes are the PLA. 100% propaganda piece, but in the most obtuse and unabashedly beautiful manner. More than 2 hours of war-film cliche after cliche where you think, "there's no way they'd do that, that's too cliche," and then they do exactly what you expect and in the most over the top glorious manner. To make this even better, the setup to the action scenes feels EXACTLY like a Call of Duty cutscene, down to even how the actors are placed within the scene (just watch it). Oh, and it's also a better GI Joe movie than the GI Joe movies as the PLA soldiers keep escalating their "cool guy" equipment and antics! How does one movie manage to be this cliche?? Oh, but the action is good, bordering on real good. This movie does one thing, and does it well.
A fascinating look at Chinese cultural idealism, even more fun when by the questions it raises. For example, why are the PLA using so many Western weapons and Humvees? Because in the real world China bought the licenses or stole the plans, but the net effect only heightens the GWOT/Americana jingoist-feel to surreal levels. Like most GWOT-era films the terrorists are seen as "animals" devoid of any personality or cause, literally nothing more than the reason for the PLA to be heroic (and a fascinating look at Chinese government perception of the Middle East and Africa, and their presence in these regions).
It is so unoriginal that it's original. Worth the rent!
A fascinating look at Chinese cultural idealism, even more fun when by the questions it raises. For example, why are the PLA using so many Western weapons and Humvees? Because in the real world China bought the licenses or stole the plans, but the net effect only heightens the GWOT/Americana jingoist-feel to surreal levels. Like most GWOT-era films the terrorists are seen as "animals" devoid of any personality or cause, literally nothing more than the reason for the PLA to be heroic (and a fascinating look at Chinese government perception of the Middle East and Africa, and their presence in these regions).
It is so unoriginal that it's original. Worth the rent!
The Men Who Stare at Goats
(2009)
See it if you are bored and have seen everything else.
7 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
After seeing the previews for this movie I was very eager to see the entire thing. If I had known beforehand how this movie was, I would have chosen another title to watch instead.
The cast is all star, and was one of the draws for this movie. Many of these actors are my favorites and I felt they each had a capability to bring something special to the table. Unfortunately, they did not. Talk about a waste of talent.
The movie was confusing as to its' true intent. Was this a comedy, social commentary, drama, coming of age story, anti-war flick? What was the director trying to hit? It seemed as though elements of all these genres were present without actually being delved into with any sort of depth.
I was unable to bring myself to care about McGregor's character. His own personal journey, the need to prove himself- it just didn't seem compelling to me. Instead he seemed more like a child whining about needing an adventure. Perhaps if the movie had focused more on his character and development instead of throwing two wars, a psychic battalion, and the three-way fight between Spacey, Clooney, and Bridges, McGregor's character would have been more believable. As such it felt as though there were too many independently interesting parts to the story to all get enough time in the 93 minute movie.
The action sequences are pretty mild and supposed to drive the satire of the film but somehow it all felt hollow and forced. Several examples of this shallow attempt at bringing large and important social commentary points home occur in Iraq. We are shown the characters being kidnapped by thugs and sold to Al Qaeda. The scene feels forced and doesn't really fit with the story other than to provide another excuse for Clooney's character to have nothing but time to relate his background. The scene does not drive up to care for the characters, feel for their safety, or even feel the natural confusion of that situation. Instead we sit and patiently await whatever plot device moves the characters along to their next scene.
In another scene we see private security contractors acting in a Hollywood stereotype, shooting up the town (apparently Ramadi) for no reason other than to illustrate how evil all us Americans must be. This scene still falls short and ends without ever needing to happen, and feels as much. It is entirely forgettable and doesn't serve to set up the next scene where an Iraqi man helps the characters along their journey. We neither feel badly about the contractors' actions nor identify with the plight of the locals before it all swirls away into the next scene where we see the main characters walking away from an IED (thrown in for chic-ness) while dusting themselves off.
Perhaps most annoying were the constant 'Jedi' references. While funny the first time by the end of the movie it feels like George Lucas pulled a prank and rewrote the script before filming started. Ironically, I felt that the joke would not have been so overplayed had McGregor not been in the movie. As it was, this line kept pulling me out of this movie and reminding me of "Star Wars".
The movie fails in its' effort at social commentary as well. Again, this flick suffers from too much to tell in too short a time.
The cast is all star, and was one of the draws for this movie. Many of these actors are my favorites and I felt they each had a capability to bring something special to the table. Unfortunately, they did not. Talk about a waste of talent.
The movie was confusing as to its' true intent. Was this a comedy, social commentary, drama, coming of age story, anti-war flick? What was the director trying to hit? It seemed as though elements of all these genres were present without actually being delved into with any sort of depth.
I was unable to bring myself to care about McGregor's character. His own personal journey, the need to prove himself- it just didn't seem compelling to me. Instead he seemed more like a child whining about needing an adventure. Perhaps if the movie had focused more on his character and development instead of throwing two wars, a psychic battalion, and the three-way fight between Spacey, Clooney, and Bridges, McGregor's character would have been more believable. As such it felt as though there were too many independently interesting parts to the story to all get enough time in the 93 minute movie.
The action sequences are pretty mild and supposed to drive the satire of the film but somehow it all felt hollow and forced. Several examples of this shallow attempt at bringing large and important social commentary points home occur in Iraq. We are shown the characters being kidnapped by thugs and sold to Al Qaeda. The scene feels forced and doesn't really fit with the story other than to provide another excuse for Clooney's character to have nothing but time to relate his background. The scene does not drive up to care for the characters, feel for their safety, or even feel the natural confusion of that situation. Instead we sit and patiently await whatever plot device moves the characters along to their next scene.
In another scene we see private security contractors acting in a Hollywood stereotype, shooting up the town (apparently Ramadi) for no reason other than to illustrate how evil all us Americans must be. This scene still falls short and ends without ever needing to happen, and feels as much. It is entirely forgettable and doesn't serve to set up the next scene where an Iraqi man helps the characters along their journey. We neither feel badly about the contractors' actions nor identify with the plight of the locals before it all swirls away into the next scene where we see the main characters walking away from an IED (thrown in for chic-ness) while dusting themselves off.
Perhaps most annoying were the constant 'Jedi' references. While funny the first time by the end of the movie it feels like George Lucas pulled a prank and rewrote the script before filming started. Ironically, I felt that the joke would not have been so overplayed had McGregor not been in the movie. As it was, this line kept pulling me out of this movie and reminding me of "Star Wars".
The movie fails in its' effort at social commentary as well. Again, this flick suffers from too much to tell in too short a time.
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