MOVIE REPORT CARD: DUNKIRK

DATE: 7/21/17
TITLE: DUNKIRK
DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
STARRING: MARK RYLANCE, TOM HARDY, ANEURIN BARNARD, JACK LOWDEN, KENNETH BRANAGH, CILLIAN MURPHY, BOBBY LOCKWOOD

GRADES

ACTING: 90
DIRECTING: 90
SCREENPLAY: 80
EDITING: 80
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 90
SOUNDTRACK: 85

​FINAL: 86/B+

COMMENTS

Technically, Dunkirk is a fantastically made movie. Director Christopher Nolan, knows how to stage, shoot and craft, a spectacle. From aerial dogfights, to sinking ships, to flames, Nolan captures the intensity of the situation of Dunkirk. However, where the movie ultimately suffers, is in its complete lack of character. Yes, this is war. Yes, there shouldn't be time to get to know people. However, the lack of character here, or story for that matter, make Dunkirk feel hollow. The vast majority of the film, feels like a master filmmaker doing nothing more than showboating what he is capable of, rather than telling a story. For some, this will be sufficient enough. With a little more connection, for me, Dunkirk would probably have made a bigger impact. Hans Zimmer's often times intrusive scoring, isn't enough to make up for it either. All that said, Dunkirk succeeds for the most part. The dogfight sequences alone, are enough for the price of admission. It's a technical masterpiece of cinema.