Saturday, July 25, 2009
1MR: Defiance
Rangers @ Royals
Synopsis: On the run and hiding in the deep forests of the then German occupied Poland and Belorussia (World War II), the three Bielski brothers find the impossible task of foraging for food and weapons for their survival. They live, not only with the fear of discovery, contending with neighboring Soviet partisans and knowing whom to trust but also take the responsibility of looking after a large mass of fleeing Polish Jews from the German war machine. Women, men, children, the elderly and the young alike are all hiding in makeshift homes in the dark, cold and unforgiving forests in the darkest times of German occupied Eastern Europe. imdb
Review: This movie is a bit difficult to review. On one hand, the true story that the movie is based on is very interesting and having a feature film headlined by Daniel Craig to retell the story is deserved. On the other hand, the movie itself just doesn't flow all that well. Part of this could be based on the source material not being all that eventful, but I think it has more to do with bad editing. Several scenes could have been dropped while others expanded to keep away the urge to check your watch.
The Blu-ray transfer itself is very good, both in audio and video. The forest that the Bielski's occupy is vibrant without the grain usually seen in that type of environment. The sound is convincing, and the few battles are sharp and exciting. In the end, the movie is worth a rent just for the interesting story, but it won't be the prize of anyone's movie collection.
Rating: Rent
Synopsis: On the run and hiding in the deep forests of the then German occupied Poland and Belorussia (World War II), the three Bielski brothers find the impossible task of foraging for food and weapons for their survival. They live, not only with the fear of discovery, contending with neighboring Soviet partisans and knowing whom to trust but also take the responsibility of looking after a large mass of fleeing Polish Jews from the German war machine. Women, men, children, the elderly and the young alike are all hiding in makeshift homes in the dark, cold and unforgiving forests in the darkest times of German occupied Eastern Europe. imdb
Review: This movie is a bit difficult to review. On one hand, the true story that the movie is based on is very interesting and having a feature film headlined by Daniel Craig to retell the story is deserved. On the other hand, the movie itself just doesn't flow all that well. Part of this could be based on the source material not being all that eventful, but I think it has more to do with bad editing. Several scenes could have been dropped while others expanded to keep away the urge to check your watch.
The Blu-ray transfer itself is very good, both in audio and video. The forest that the Bielski's occupy is vibrant without the grain usually seen in that type of environment. The sound is convincing, and the few battles are sharp and exciting. In the end, the movie is worth a rent just for the interesting story, but it won't be the prize of anyone's movie collection.
Rating: Rent
