Written by: Kevin Berge
This is not an accurate poster for the film, needs more blood spewed everywhere. (Image Courtesy of: wallpapersite.com)
Quick Take: Hacksaw Ridge inspires with the true story of an incredible war hero; however, its faith-focused criticism feels one-dimensional, taking away from a far more complex tale. The imagery that Mel Gibson showcases is gruesome and visceral with an incredible second half, but the director fails to tell a complete and fair story.
***This is an in-depth review of Hacksaw Ridge, focusing on the movie's biggest moments and strong themes. However, it does not contain direct spoilers, avoiding speaking on specific events. Those who have seen the film will likely get more from the review but those who have not should still be able to read without being spoiled.***
Few directors stand out more in every film they make than Mel Gibson (Braveheart). That comes from Gibson's lack of subtlety. He chooses stories to tell that have a clear and undeterred message that may hit people the wrong way particularly given his own personal beliefs that led to a recent 10-year hiatus from directing.
Hacksaw Ridge stands as Gibson's return to work behind the camera and was a dangerous proposition from the start. It tells the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) who joins the US Army as a conscientious objector, refusing to carry any weapon, due to his religion, seeking to save lives but never kill.
From the start, it is clear this is a dangerous story for Gibson to be telling, dominated by the religious belief of Doss. His story is important because it showcases the importance of sticking to one's values and the value of human life. This movie also uses it as a basis to glorify these beliefs often to the detriment of others in the story.
Despite that, this is a powerful film. The first half of this film is fine drama, conventional but effective, but this movie is affecting thanks to its second half where the battlefield of Hacksaw Ridge becomes the central setting. This is a war film that drenches itself in the gruesome side of conflict.
The horrors of war are at the core of this film which is gruesome to a fault. From the moment the characters step onto the battlefield, everything is gruesome. It is an assault for the senses that is hard to forget, playing off an opening act where blood and violence slipped in regularly almost to desensitize the audience.
It is rare that a film can truly transport you into war, making this movie so affecting. The violence is disorienting and unglorified. People get torn apart and riddled to pieces than left behind as those remaining look on in shock and disturbed awe. At times, it becomes so much it can be entertaining or even darkly humorous, but the movie does not revel in those times, presenting them as inevitable.
By presenting war with such memorable gore and violence, it lends credence to the strength of Doss who never tries to pick up a gun even as the action becomes more wild and his life is at the brink. Every other character slowly but surely begins to idolize his courage and strength of belief in the face of horror at every turn.
Few directors stand out more in every film they make than Mel Gibson (Braveheart). That comes from Gibson's lack of subtlety. He chooses stories to tell that have a clear and undeterred message that may hit people the wrong way particularly given his own personal beliefs that led to a recent 10-year hiatus from directing.
Hacksaw Ridge stands as Gibson's return to work behind the camera and was a dangerous proposition from the start. It tells the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) who joins the US Army as a conscientious objector, refusing to carry any weapon, due to his religion, seeking to save lives but never kill.
From the start, it is clear this is a dangerous story for Gibson to be telling, dominated by the religious belief of Doss. His story is important because it showcases the importance of sticking to one's values and the value of human life. This movie also uses it as a basis to glorify these beliefs often to the detriment of others in the story.
Despite that, this is a powerful film. The first half of this film is fine drama, conventional but effective, but this movie is affecting thanks to its second half where the battlefield of Hacksaw Ridge becomes the central setting. This is a war film that drenches itself in the gruesome side of conflict.
The horrors of war are at the core of this film which is gruesome to a fault. From the moment the characters step onto the battlefield, everything is gruesome. It is an assault for the senses that is hard to forget, playing off an opening act where blood and violence slipped in regularly almost to desensitize the audience.
It is rare that a film can truly transport you into war, making this movie so affecting. The violence is disorienting and unglorified. People get torn apart and riddled to pieces than left behind as those remaining look on in shock and disturbed awe. At times, it becomes so much it can be entertaining or even darkly humorous, but the movie does not revel in those times, presenting them as inevitable.
By presenting war with such memorable gore and violence, it lends credence to the strength of Doss who never tries to pick up a gun even as the action becomes more wild and his life is at the brink. Every other character slowly but surely begins to idolize his courage and strength of belief in the face of horror at every turn.
I don't know if I'm supposed to be enjoying watching these people blasted apart, but I am. Does that make me a bad person? (Image Courtesy of: people.com)
Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) continues to prove himself one of the most adept modern actors working, carrying the early parts of the film in its portrayal of Doss's unassuming strength and is fantastic later as a man in fear but never paralyzed.
Other great performances in this film come from Hugo Weaving (The Matrix) as Doss's drunk father who is plagued by the horrors of his experience in war, Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers) who is well cast as a bullying but kind-hearted sergeant, and Luke Bracey (Point Break (2015)) who, as a fellow soldier, acts as the primary showcase of changing views of Doss.
The dangerous part of this movie is its one-track belief. Doss and his belief are so central to the story that they are presented as truth rather than important thought. Even as it sometimes revels in its war, this is wholly anti-war and against the beliefs of others who are against Doss's direct focus.
This feels opposed to what Doss is often saying though. He is not trying to convert anyone. He is simply trying to enact what he believes, a powerful message that is far more universal. That universality is lost in the confusion as Doss becomes a symbol for Christianity's overarching goodness.
Gibson directs this movie with a great eye for action and acting. He pulls great performances out of his cast, but he often seems to be pushing too hard to convey a problematically simple message (a trademark of faith-based films) rather than focusing on what makes Doss such a powerful and important person in American history.
In different hands, this film might have had a tighter story and stronger message behind it, but it may also have lacked what makes this movie so affecting: its visceral feeling. The second half of this movie, for those who stomach it, is one of the great film experiences, a showcase of war as war that elevates the entire film.
It is both a great movie and a missed opportunity, Gibson at his best yet still missing the mark. Hacksaw Ridge tells the compelling tale of a truly remarkable individual and has visual flair that makes it at times feel like a masterpiece. It just does not quite get there in the end.
Other great performances in this film come from Hugo Weaving (The Matrix) as Doss's drunk father who is plagued by the horrors of his experience in war, Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers) who is well cast as a bullying but kind-hearted sergeant, and Luke Bracey (Point Break (2015)) who, as a fellow soldier, acts as the primary showcase of changing views of Doss.
The dangerous part of this movie is its one-track belief. Doss and his belief are so central to the story that they are presented as truth rather than important thought. Even as it sometimes revels in its war, this is wholly anti-war and against the beliefs of others who are against Doss's direct focus.
This feels opposed to what Doss is often saying though. He is not trying to convert anyone. He is simply trying to enact what he believes, a powerful message that is far more universal. That universality is lost in the confusion as Doss becomes a symbol for Christianity's overarching goodness.
Gibson directs this movie with a great eye for action and acting. He pulls great performances out of his cast, but he often seems to be pushing too hard to convey a problematically simple message (a trademark of faith-based films) rather than focusing on what makes Doss such a powerful and important person in American history.
In different hands, this film might have had a tighter story and stronger message behind it, but it may also have lacked what makes this movie so affecting: its visceral feeling. The second half of this movie, for those who stomach it, is one of the great film experiences, a showcase of war as war that elevates the entire film.
It is both a great movie and a missed opportunity, Gibson at his best yet still missing the mark. Hacksaw Ridge tells the compelling tale of a truly remarkable individual and has visual flair that makes it at times feel like a masterpiece. It just does not quite get there in the end.