Saving Ryan's Privates

     I had grown sick and tired of hearing everyone and their dog talk about Saving Private Ryan in front of me all the while I have never seen the film. Ohhh Mama, am I glad I chose to watch this wonderful movie. One of the first things that draws many viewers into watching a movie is clearly the cast. In the case of Saving Private Ryan you could not dream up a better crew. Leading the charge (and I mean this quite literally) we have Tom Hanks, everyone's favorite from many time honored classics like Forrest Gump, Forrest Gump, and, of course who could forget Forrest Gump? Assembling in formation behind our Captain Miller (Hanks) we have the quirky Paul Giamatti even if it is only for a small time frame. Yet another actor that can rally people to the cinema from his television stardom is Giovanni Ribisi. To lay further ice this already delicious treat we have the lovely and talented Vin Diesel, that's all I need say about that.
     Saving Private Ryan is infamous for the way in which it displays war, the absolute grit and despair that consists within is shockingly and effectively present here. The invasion on Normandy was not a nice and glorious triumph as we love to talk about it today in the present. It was a battle in one of the worlds greatest wars, there was blood and death, sadness and loss, and the first 30 minutes of the film is the epitome of war-time reality. Spielberg wanted nothing dulled down, rightfully so, this shows he acknowledges and respects the viewer's maturity. When a movie shows the the full truth of the matter of any situation you can progress emotionally with the characters instead of be a third person party watching others change. A movie set in WWII has the perfect setting for such things forcing the viewer into feeling of immense empathy, anger, mourning, suspense, and many more.
     With the golden cast and brilliant cinematographic direction of Spielberg this movie brings with it a great feeling of immersion. Many movies fall short after they have the cast they desire and writers/directors they wish for, maybe because of budget or lack of integrity, who knows and who cares? The important thing is that Saving Private Ryan did not. Costume design felt rugged and authentic, pair this with the fact that in 98 there was very little computer touch ups in movies and you get a genuine experience that is rare today. Location is another aspect that is critical during production, it is also another area that this film nailed down perfectly. Every scene in a town feels real even though it may be a set, and each sweeping shot of a field or path or etc. is simply breathtaking. However my biggest fault with with the movie is the one time it breaks the immersion for me. Immersion is broken for me at the most critical time, the very end. Having been spoiled with modern day special effects (even though I ragged on CGI earlier) I think the ending subtracts from the movie. It takes the viewer out of the war, the resolution of battle, many people like myself may still have adrenaline pumping, and they just cut back to the beginning scene. Not only does it take you out of immersion but it does it only to feed you a cliche resolution story. Still, this three maybe 4 minute scene is not major enough to make me think this 169 minute long movie is anything but fantastic. I give it a solid 8.5/10, must see.