DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures, Rated R
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Robert Rodat

Let's not call the Oscar race off just yet, but if they were held today, in all probability, Steven Spielberg's latest masterpiece Saving Private Ryan would almost sweep them. Much more deserving of Oscars and astronomically high ticket sales than last year's Titanic, this film tells the story of a group of World War II soldiers led by veteran Captain Miller (Tom Hanks), ordered by the United States Army to find Private Ryan (Matt Damon), inform him that his brothers all died in action, and he must return home.
The film is a wonderful example of great cinematography, lighting, performances, and dialogue coming together to make one fantastic film. The opening sequence of D-Day has already gone down into cinema history, and deservedly so. I hesitate, however, to call it the greatest war movie ever made. I was moved more by 1930's All Quiet on the Western Front, a movie which got many of the same points across about war in less graphic detail. The violence is quite harsh, but less so than what I had heard from others. I was also rarely emotionally involved in the film until the final sequence, and in portions of the opening sequence. John Williams' score, though not one of his best, truly suits the film, unlike what I've heard from other critics. Hanks' performance is certainly one of the best, but probably won't end up being THE best of the year. I was more in awe of the talents of Giovanni Ribisi as Medic Wade and Jeremy Davies (a dead ringer for Henry Thomas, who owes his career to Spielberg, even though he has yet to make people stop thinking of him as E.T.'s Elliott) as Corporal Upham, whom the audience identifies with more than anyone. I hope at least that these two young actors go far. Not exactly the kind of film one can see over and over (and not quite as good as Schindler's List), but a masterfully crafted film nonetheless. ****