Sometimes around the year, there comes a war movie like “Hacksaw Ridge” that compels and stays with people, but once the big, fat, grey elephant in the room messes with these kind of movies, then it is pretty much screwed up.
That is the urban dictionary definition of once-good German director Roland Emmerich, who has let every film critic down when he released such disaster-pieces as “White House Down” and “Stonewall”. He used to be known for making popcorn-worthy disaster flicks such as “Independence Day” and “The Day After Tomorrow”.
Why do we need him in our world of cinema anyway?
“Midway” sadly is an answer to this question.
Set in June of 1942, America is in deep, deep chaos because six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan plans a strike against American ships in the Pacific.
That is of course the creation of the courageous Battle of Midway, which (along with Pearl Harbor) is one of the most vital battles of the dreadful World War II.
You would think this would sound like an important and riveting watch, right?
Nope. Instead, we focus on these four cardboard cut-out “pilots”, (whom travel in Dollar Tree-ready action scenes) to once and for all rebel Japan in its finest glory. To add more salt to the wound, they have no interesting backgrounds to even care for them. They are just typical, generic “heroes” you would see in a war movie.
Given all that is being said right now, the only two actors that clearly care about acting in this movie are Luke Wilson as the vigorous air group commander Wade McClusky and Patrick Wilson playing intelligence officer Edwin T. Layton.
The first 10 minutes does incorporate rousing factors with a really intense start. The ambition of the movie is there, but is doomed from its direct-to-DVD quality.
The remainder of “Midway” ends up as a serious bore that will be a waste of your Veteran’s Day and a disservice not just to the event, but also to the people involved. I myself was checking my phone to see how much time was left.
Roland Emmerich has no brain how to make a World War II film because he is too busy being assistive on his visual effects team to manufacture more explosions than Michael Bay. This project should be handled by a different director like David Ayer or Peter Berg, whom both have experience making courageous true stories.
Not to mention that this movie has a HUGE all-star cast including Dennis Quaid, Nick Jonas, Aaron Eckhart and Woody Harrelson. They are literally sleepwalking like zombies that they need another movie to desire themselves more.
Even the Japanese actors and extras who portrayed the forces didn’t even care.
A war movie should portray the livelihood of good versus evil and the courage of the main characters. Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge” and Peter Berg’s “Lone Survivor” are the ones that come to recent memory. Emmerich wholeheartedly refuses to be aware of the awful, devastating events and instead relies on incredibly bland action.
Look, guys. “Midway” seems like it will please film fans from the likes of “Hunter Killer” and “White House Down” rather than War buffs. It is a sad, little brown puppy that needs strawberry dog treats than expired dog treats. It is such a careless watch that is worthy on being in the ten worst movies of 2019. You will struggle to be awake.
Grade: 3/10
