Saving Private Ryan Review

What better movie to review on this day than Saving Private Ryan.  For this day, June 6, 2009 is the 65th anniversary of D-Day.  According to a Fox News story back on May 24, 2008, WW II Veterans are dying at the rate of 1,000 per day.  To quote a line, "But judging by the passing of the World War I veterans, we're predicting they will all be gone by 2020."  If you ever meet a WW II Vet, you should humbly say "Thank You!" and shake his or her hand.  After all...you're not speaking, reading or writing normally in German or Japanese are you?

In my opinion, Tom Hanks (Capt. John H. Miller) gives one of his best performances.  And Steven Spielberg directs one of his best also.  Just the landing scene (Omaha Beach) alone took much longer than anyone anticipated.  Steven Spielberg said he had it all in his head, but not much scripted.  Yes, it's quite explicit...arms being blown off, soldiers burned, screams of "Mother" from those dying - you get the idea.  Squeamish or not, I think everyone over the age of 16 should watch this movie in it's entirety to get an idea of what WW II Vets went through.  Maybe then, this younger "generation X" would get the point...freedom isn't free. 

This movie points out the compassion of the American military.  Chief of Staff, General Marshall (Harve Presnell) learns that Private Ryan's three brothers have all died in the war.  No American Mother should have all of her sons die in war.  Thus, the premise of the movie...to save Pvt. Ryan and bring him home.

After the hellish battle for Omaha Beach, Miller receives orders from his battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Walter Anderson (Dennis Farina) to find Private Ryan. (Matt Damon)

Granted, most of you have probably seen this movie already.  For those who haven't, watch & learn what the "Greatest Generation" did for you.  One final word in closing...FUBAR.

Upham: What's FUBAR?
Mellish: Oh, it's German.
[he chuckles derisively]
Mellish: Yeah.
Upham: Never heard of that.