Review: Dunkirk Is One Of The Best War Thrillers In Years
- Jul 20, 2017
- 2 min read
Christopher Nolan has made a name for himself in the cinematic world, and not an undeserved one. With films like Memento and The Dark Knight under his belt, he’s one of the greatest living directors. However, his last few films, The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar, have left something to be desired. Dunkirk seeks to change that, and change is what it brings.
It is May, 1940. After the failure of the Battle of France, half a million allied soldiers are left stranded on the beach of Dunkirk, with the Nazi’s slowly closing in. Air raids are commonplace and the boats are running out. Thus, the civilian ships, yachts and fishing ships, are mobilised. They must navigate a channel patrolled by U-Boats and dive bombers to collect the British army and bring them home.
Dunkirk is an incredible event in history and this cinematic iteration does it justice. Aside from a particularly frustrating timeline problem which will be non-existent in repeat viewings, Dunkirk is one of the most intense, oppressing and hopeless war films ever released. And it does it all with very little action. Not only does it look great, not only is it well acted, but it is one of the best sounding movies in years.
Nolan has crafted a film that is almost wholly reliant on sound. The siren of Stuka dive bombers is terrifying, the gunshots punch through air, the spitfire’s engines roar and the screams of dying men are haunting. The sound makes this movie, and that alone is worth the price of admission, in fact, it’s recommended. The visuals are great as well, sweeping shots of war torn beaches, dogfights over pristine seas and crowded ships. Finally there’s the actors. Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan form the core of the film, along with newcomer Fionn Whitehead, each of whom give excellent performances. Rylance and Hardy steal the show with the most interesting characters dealing with some truly unique circumstances.
Between low fuel, Stuka sirens and the ever nearing German army, Dunkirk is a tension filled masterpiece. It’s a movie that earns its cinematic viewing. While the timeline is somewhat confusing, it comes together eventually, and it’s far too easy to overlook in favour of what is Nolan’s best film since The Dark Knight. Do yourself a favour and check it out
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