Directed by Mel Gibson, this tells the true story of Desmond Doss during WWII. He was an Army medic who refused to touch a weapon or kill anyone. However, he fully believed the war was just, his religion just prevented him from doing anything about it except help those who could fight. He saved anywhere from 50-100 people at Hacksaw Ridge and was a conscientious objector who won the Medal of Honor.
Desmond, played by a really weak looking Andrew Garfield, was not a tough man or a bad ass, but he was a man of principle. He was a hero in a peaceful way.
This movie is slow in the first half as they setup the players, but the war scenes are pretty gritty and captivating. The single most jarring thing in the film is Vince Vaughn. My apologies to Vince as I'm a fan, but he's hard to believe as a tough as nails Sergeant. He is no R. Lee Ermey.
A very good war film, but not one that'll affect you like Saving Private Ryan.
Desmond Doss is a hell of a brave man and his story deserves to be told.
Hacksaw Ridge
Hacksaw Ridge
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Hacksaw Ridge
There was an achievement in Team Fortress 2 about having the highest score with a medic without a kill.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Hacksaw Ridge
Good movie here so far, but some very movie things throwing me off.
Vince isn't any sergeant I've seen depicted on TV. Especially like the Full Metal guy. On the other hand, his character is fine compared to some sergeants I've met in real life. I guess i'm not getting their war faces.
There's a big plot hole they could have done better with. They show these Japanese soldiers scouring the ridge looking for wounded Americans to kill. Which is totally reasonable. But if Dawes was really up on that ridge by himself with no support, surely they would have just come over and killed him, and cut the rope ladder. I'm sure there was a "Ladder Garrison" or something? Looks better from a dramatic standpoint if Dawes did the whole thing solo.
e: ok so they try to kill him at the end, I wasn't there yet. Somehow nobody thinks to cut the ladder bringing waves of hostiles up though?
Vince isn't any sergeant I've seen depicted on TV. Especially like the Full Metal guy. On the other hand, his character is fine compared to some sergeants I've met in real life. I guess i'm not getting their war faces.
There's a big plot hole they could have done better with. They show these Japanese soldiers scouring the ridge looking for wounded Americans to kill. Which is totally reasonable. But if Dawes was really up on that ridge by himself with no support, surely they would have just come over and killed him, and cut the rope ladder. I'm sure there was a "Ladder Garrison" or something? Looks better from a dramatic standpoint if Dawes did the whole thing solo.
e: ok so they try to kill him at the end, I wasn't there yet. Somehow nobody thinks to cut the ladder bringing waves of hostiles up though?
Last edited by Troy on Tue May 02, 2017 12:30 am, edited 2 times in total.
Hacksaw Ridge
That bugged me too. Now I have to go to the interwebs to do some research.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Hacksaw Ridge
Liked it. I went in thinking it was a Clint Eastwood movie... and 75% of the way through I was surprised there were no "both sides are monsters" moments (looking at you, Letters from Iwo Jima).... and by the end I thought it might be one of the best war movies I'd ever seen.
Then I saw "Directed by Mel Gibson," and thought.... shit. Mel's good. I wish he hadn't torpedoed his acting career.
Then I saw "Directed by Mel Gibson," and thought.... shit. Mel's good. I wish he hadn't torpedoed his acting career.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."