June 6, 1944. D-DAY. The first day in the beginning of the end of Nazi Europe. A day that will live in infamy for all time.
As the film opens, we see the D-Day invasion in all its horrific brutality. We see men blasted away by rounds and rounds of ammunition, we see men with bloody stumps carrying lost limbs, and we even see one man with his intestines spewed all over the ground. Yes, it's gross, but it's also horribly realistic. This actually happened.
Hundreds died on Omaha beach that june day in 1944; Candians, British, and Americans. (It should be noted that Canadians were the ONLY ones to complete ALL of their mission objectives and hold every possision entrusted to them.) Many people did live, however. One man, Captain Miller (Tom Hanks), is given the assignment of tracking down a kid from Iowa, Private. James Ryan (Matt Damon). Ryan's three other brothers were all killed in action and he now has a ticket home.
Captain Miller leads a group of eight men to find Ryan. However, even before they find Ryan, the group looses two men. 25%. Heavy losses. Once they manage to find Ryan, they find out that he won't leave his post - gaurding one of only two bridges not yet destroyed.
Miller and his gang decide to stay and help, no matter what the cost. The only important thing is protecting Rayn, and making sure he gets home...
DAMN YOU STEVEN SPIELBERG!!! How could you do that?!?!? There is one scene where Cpl. Timothy Upham (Jeremy Davies) is about to go up some stairs to deliver ammunition to the snipers in the tower. But, a couple Germans make it up before he does, and kill the two in the tower. UPHAM JUST STANDS THERE!!! Oh how you want to see Upham go up there and kick the living shit out of the German who killed his comarades, BUT HE DOESN'T! HE'S TOO SCARED! Dammit Spieldberg, WHY? JUST GET HIM UP THE DAMN STAIRS! THAT'S ALL WE WANT TO SEE!
Possibly the most frustrating scene I ever watched, the most suspenseful scene I think I have ever witnessed. This is the only thing wrong with the film; it's the only thing preventing the film from obtaining a perfect rating.
The D-DAY invasion in the first scene is the most realistic recreation ever filmed and has been praised by veterins all over the world. I thought it was freakin' brilliant; it was down to the last detail magnificant, and there is no one better than Steven Spielberg who could have done such a breath taking job.
For once in it's many years, the Academy got it right! Spielberg was given the Oscar for Saving Private Ryan. It didn't win Best Picture, but hell, Speilberg won and that's what counts!
My Grandfather was a bombadier in WWII, flying on some 37 missions. Though some of the missions hit him pretty hard, he never really talked about the war. I never knew him as he died several years before my time, but I like to think that as an officer he was courageous in the face of battle. Even when his plane was severly damaged by ground fire, he never wavered... it is things like this that give me pride whenever I see films and such of WWII. You might say that they hold a special place for me.
Plot: 
War is not something glamerous, but the way Steven Spielberg made this film is something else. The story is brilliant, and well written. The D-DAY invasion makes the film.
The nervous Upham scene is the only thing preventing the perfect score Saving Private Ryan deserves. Damn you Spielberg!
Visual Effects:
Simply phenominal. The shot of the man with his guts spewed everywhere will haunt you. The shot of the man holding his arm with a bloody ripped-flesh stump is just as powerfull a shot.
Not to mention, but not to forget, the cinematography was superbly done. The camera movements on Omaha beach look like you are viewing the action from a man's eyes. Spielberg even left the blood on the lense for a short time. Very nice touch.
Sound:
John Williams, who is always utilized by Spielberg in his films, gives us another Oscar nominated score. Powerful yet soulful, sometimes you just can't help but get carried away in the music.
Character Development:
You see most characters evolve as the story goes, although some don't have a chance since they die too early.
Atmosphere:
Realism:
Steven Spielberg himself stated that this film was supposed to be a "grand Hollywood production" brought to France. So he is saying that it chock full of holylwoodism. Well, it is.
Hollywoodism is the main thing this catagory and rating are based on. Basically, the more belivable the story, the more realistic it is. Most Hollywood films have the looser guy getting the gorgeous girl in the end. Hey Geeks - got any cute chicks lately?
This senario almost never happens. So then, is Saving Private Ryan full of Hollywoodism? Yes, yes it is. Americans dying patriotically on the battlefield, guns blazing... the stuff great old-time Hollywood films are made of. However, most men didn't die heroically on the battlefield. Some do and some don't in this film, but look at the very last shot of the film with the flag waving against the sun. That is the Hollywoodism.
But, the most realistic D-DAY invasion ever filmed and actual true-to-life battle scenes cancel everything else out; Hollywoodism or not.
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
Elizabeth; La Vita è bella (Life is Beautiful, 1997); *Shakespeare in Love; The Thin Red Line
9.86/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
14-06-04
