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Reviews
Only the Brave (2006)
Not bad. A good film in the "Go for Broke!" tradition.
I was excited to see this film was in production when I first stumbled across it a few months before it was released. I managed to find it at a local video rental place about three months after it became available on the website and decided to give it a look. Although not perfect, "Only the Brave" presents a story that needs more recognition in this day in age. Especially with so many 442nd vets passing on every day. Although the characters are fictional, they are no less real, with a lot of attention paid to their lives before and after the war. My family was sent to the internment camps after Executive Order 9066 was signed by FDR, and their experiences mirror those of the men in the film. They too lost their jobs, then their property, then their basic freedoms in what is still regarded as one of the largest civil-rights atrocity in the history of the country. Three of my Mother's uncles served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of them earning a Bronze Star with Valor Device during the same mission portrayed in the film while serving as a Combat Medic.
A subject I wish they had touched on during the film was the degrading 'loyalty tests' that Active Military personal of Japanese Decent were forced to take after Pearl Harbor, as one of the aforementioned uncles was subject to those as a member of the US Army Garrison in Hawaii at the time.
As far as film craft is concerned, the picture is not without it's faults. A few scenes really would have worked better in a stage production then a feature film, and some of the scenes seemed to have an out of place dream-like quality. But all things considered I am simply glad that this film was made in the first place. Obviously a work from the heart for a lot of the actors and crew. Who all, like myself, had a deep personal connection to the story being told.
Hollywood has pointed the spotlight on minorities serving in WWII frequently in the past few years with films such as "Miracle at St. Anna", "Windtalkers", and "The Tuskeegee Airmen", but always seems to overlook the story of the 442nd RCT/100th Battalion (with the exception of the film "Go For Broke" which was released in the 50's). Hopefully 'Only the Brave' will be the first of many more films to highlight the sacrifice and heroism of these men who were told they weren't Americans, then proved their government wrong in the most spectacular way possible.
Pathfinders: In the Company of Strangers (2011)
Done the Impossible!
I'm speechless, having been following the production of this movie for a few years I was skeptical if it could meet my high expectations. But I'm happy to say they did and more! Fast paced story, historical accuracy, good acting, and well constructed action. 'Pathfinders' managed to pull off a film of exceptional quality and attention to detail with a minimal budget. Having met the film makers I appreciate even further having seen the final product how far they made a dollar go. This film is easily on par with other Indie war pics like 'Saints and Soldiers' and 'Only the Brave'. Real WWII equipment, including two original C-47 Skytrain jump aircraft (where did they find those?) is featured. Even the troopers gear (from what I could tell) was correct, no Korean or Vietnam era equipment here. They even look like they found an actual Eureka beacon. Acting was solid, with good performances all around. Good to see child actors from 'Forest Gump' and 'Goodfellas' back on the screen, and their characters kicked ass too! Whoever was their location scout earned his chops, great sets and scenery for a production that stayed local to the area. All in all a great piece of untold history, and a great first film from a new Indie studio. Looking forward to whatever they kick out next, sky's the limit guys! My only desire after seeing the movie was perhaps more on what happened to the troopers after the battle, perhaps something to add into the director's cut?