Midway [4k Ultra-HD] [2019] [Blu-ray]

OK... At the time of release, this film was panned by the critics, namely Mark Kermode, who hated it.I don't know what film they were watching, but it isn't this one. They said it had corny dialogue, and stereotypecharacters... Well, they got it wrong.The Battles of Midway was one of the most important sea battles in naval history, and I have been studyingit for some time now. Half of me was expecting Pearl Harbor part two, but no, this movie is much better thanthat. Although this story is more or less of the story of pilot Richard "Dick" Best, it never gets too sentimentallyor distracts from the narrative, for it is the battle itself is the real star. There are so many details of this battlethat can't all be told, after all the battle was all but done and over within 20 mins, but it is the build up that counts.The critics said is had too much historical events before the battle, but again, this was done in a very sparingway. For one, we are told why the aircraft carriers weren't at Pearl Harbor, and two, we learn why the Doolittleraid was so important, this provides the motive to why the Japanese needed to invade Midway island. All thisis done in a precise and toned manor. It never goes into long speech mode about "being American" and "freedom"as so many over long Hollywood films seem to do these days, after all we are dealing with real historical people here. I thought the build up to the battle was well paced, and as each main character says what he needs to sayto move the plot along. The only two people in it who have more than just historic dialogue are C. Wade McClusky and Richard "Dick" Best, played by Patrick Wilson and Ed Skein, who both give a great performance.They relationship is very important to the narrative of the movie, because it was these two pilots who turned the course of the battle, and in my humble opinion, Richard Best should have got the Medal of Honor for what he did.Apart from the dialogue, acting and keeping to the historical facts, I thought one of the other good things about this movie was the editing. The film moves from one scene to the next in a very clear way without overlong lingering scenes, and I don't know why it didn't receive any awards for this alone. There are a few things this movie didn't include about the battle, but the most important aspects are dealt with, and some of the most amazing actions are all true.I don't know what critics expected from a film Called Midway, about the Battle of Midway, when you have all this DC/Marvel Universal rubbish about these days, because this where CGI comes in it's own, and this was about real conflict. This just goes to show you, you can't always trust film critics.

pleased with this

In Nineteen Forty Two, mere months after Pearl Harbour, America was still on the backfoot in the fight against Japan. They faced a Japanese offensive that could have delivered a knockout blow.But a series of events, along with one snap decision, combined to change, against all the odds, what could have been an overwhelming Japanese victory into a crushing defeat, which stopped their expansionism and left them on the back foot for the rest of the war.All down to a handful of very brave American sailors and flyers.The story of the battle has been told before, in a 1970's film version. But here's an all new one.Director is Roland Emmerich, better known for the likes of the Day after Tomorrow and Independence Day.But anyone expecting bombastic gung ho action as a result will find this is a different kind of film for him. Because it sets out to not to be action but to tell the real history. Through the tales of the real people involved.In focuses in particular on two Americans. Patrick Wilson plays intelligence officer Edwin Layton. A man determined not to let anything like Pearl Harbour happen again. And Ed Skrein is very much the leading man as pilot Dick Best. A natural born leader, talented pilot, and down to earth family man with it.A strong supporting cast does play many real historical figures. But they are supporting roles. The story is about the above two.It's a film that tries to be realistic. It's not gung ho or taking sides. It depicts the events from both sides, showing the Japanese navy as they were. People with a code of honour, but having to take orders from the war mongers in their army. Although it doesn't shy away from showing some of the war crimes that they committed.And it depicts the Americans, to quote from a song used from the soundtrack of the film Apollo 11, as 'just a bunch of people, just doing the best they can. And hell, they did a damn fine job.'Because that's what it was all about. Ordinary people, put into extraordinary situations, can end up doing such. And they certainly did here. The film sets out to show that. And it achieves it's aim.The days of stock footage and the like from the 70's version have been replaced by cgi, which does have some obvious shots but does do a good of showing what it must have been like to be in a dive bomber heading for a carrier through a sky full of anti aircraft fire, or on a ship watching this happen.Ed Skrein and Patrick Wilson really carry the film superbly. The supporting cast are all great. Particular mention goes to Joe Jonas, playing the unflappable New Yorker Bruno Gaido. Because as far as pop stars turning to acting go, he really is very good indeed.It's just not quite a five star film because, in an attempt to give background detail, it spends time covering everything that led up to the war and the battle, thus it does end up rushing through a few details of the latter. And it's a pity that Dusty Kleiss, a hugely important figure on the day, doesn't figure in the film at all. Despite being referenced at the end.But even so, they don't make them like this anymore. So it's great that someone did.Do note: The Japanese scenes take place with subtitles, that can't be turned off.And those who like to say the plane is the wrong colour, or shouldn't be able to climb like that, or other such little details, might just find enough little things here to keep them happy.The disc has the following language and subtitle options:Languages: English.Subtitles: English.It begins with a few trailers and ads, that can be skipped via the next button on the dvd remote.Extras:A commentary from the director.The theatrical trailer.Getting it right: the making of Midway. A fifteen min long documentary on the subject, which has cast and crew and various clips. This is just the right length, and has enough depth to it, more so than the usual promotional pieces these can be, to make it a good watch.The men of Midway. Ten minutes about the casting, and the real life figures they play. Also in depth and a good watch.

Awesome movie

Recipient was happy

A very good dvd of the battle of midway well worth a watch

Enjoyable film could have been better.

Fantastic service