Back when I rented videotapes from local video rental shops, you would always get previews of upcoming films, and I do remember the trailer for Bat*21 being frequently promoted. And I remember reading in the TV guide that one remarkable element was the code that was used. It consisted of golf terms. They made it seem it was a big deal. Although, I don't think I ever had actually picked it up. On a whim, I decided to watch this yesterday. So what do I think?
Well, I think it's decent. It does offer some thrills. But it lacks suspense. It is possible that my viewing experience was a little hindered by my distaste for these types of war films. And by that I mean the ones where the focus lies on soldiers being on their own who are trying to avoid capture. Those do rely more on tension and suspense than action and spectacle. It's therefore a little strange that this film delivers more on action than on suspense. But first and foremost, the most interesting were the interactions between Gene Hackman and Danny Glover. Their delivery is what made an almost boring film more compelling. As for the special code consisting of golf terms. Apparently, this was crucial in the true story, but I don't think the film did a good job of demonstrating how vital this was.
I wonder if there was more to this film. It almost looks like it did. There are other characters and dynamics that actually could have added to the complexity of events. Now, those seem to be just added in to extend the film or give it that typical "war is hell" vibe. At some points it's effective. But for the most part, it feels a little forced. You barely hear the pilots complaining how awful it is to be there. Kind of defeats the point if you ask me.
Overall, the film was a little disappointing for me. A film like this needs to capitalize on tension and drama, and when that is not present, I lose interest.
Also check:
No comments:
Post a Comment