Post by BIGFANBOY on Dec 25, 2008 6:36:15 GMT -5
VALKYRIE
Review by Gary Dean Murray
World War II has always provided a wealth of stories for Hollywood. The battle against fascism with all the elements of a global conflict has been a bedrock of strong emotional narration. Some of our greatest films have been based within the confines of this war. One of the latest is the newest Tom Cruise vehicle Valkyrie.
The story is of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise) a German officer in the waning days of WWII. He is a career army man who believes in the German solider but not the Nazi elements that run the military. As the film starts, he is in the African desert fighting a losing battle. The folly that is Nazism is becoming clear to all the trained military men. As Claus is trying to save his men from a certain defeat, the group is attacked by enemy fire. Claus is hit and hurt.
We jump forward to find that Claus has lost an eye and some of his fingers. While recuperating in the Berlin hospital, the madness that is Hitler is finally realized. A group of like minded military men decide that they must do the unthinkable to save Germany. They must kill Hitler.
So begins the plot of Valkyrie, a code name reference to a taking over of the government in the event of the assassination of Adolph. It becomes a cat and mouse game of planning and scheming to find the right men in the right places to do the deed. Claus realizes that he must actually carry out the plot and bring the bomb to the bunker.
As they execute their plans, there are the usual cinematic hitches. It plays like a grand mystery but one where one knows the eventual outcome. Directed by Bryan Singer, this film has elements of his most successful films. It is a heroic action epic similar to his X-Men while it still contains some quirky details like The Usual Suspects. As the story unfolds and we see the execution of Valkyrie, it runs along like the best of a summer popcorn flick. Singer captures the excitement of a thriller in historical context. Writer Christopher McQuarrie weaves an impressive tale in Valkyrie. He never gets bogged down in the details of the events and treats a historical moment like an action set piece. The skills to keep this moving along while not getting caught up in the minuscule details of the event shows a mastery of the material.
Valkyrie is easily Tom Cruise's best performance. He shows a depth that one seldom sees from a Hollywood star. This role could be a turning point in his career where he does more serious roles and not that quick turn fluff. Known more as a movie star than an actor, our Mr. Cruise has delivered two of his best in 2008. The cameo turn in Tropic Thunder has been getting end of the year critical notice.
While most of the cast is just a supporting crew way in the back of Tom Cruise's maverick reading of the role, one has to recognize Eddie Izzard in a small but pivotal role. This comic does a workman job as a co-conspirator and plotter. It is a small performance that is very important.
The film was shot in Germany at various locations where many of the actual events occurred, including the historic locations. This film just breathes living history. There should be some Oscar considerations in the set decorating and costume categories. It is a grand tale told on a epic scale, and there are not enough good things to say about this motion picture.
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