THE GREAT RAID (DVD)

Director: John Dahl (Rounders, Joy Ride, Unforgettable)
Starring: Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Fiennes, Connie Neilson, James Franco

The Great Raid is a fine little film that perhaps suffers a bit from a lack of star power. It’s a simple story about a US army raid on a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines during World War 2. This is told straight and without much embellishment. The Raid is planned and carried out successfully, end of story. A more successful subplot follows a Filipino resistance group (which surprisingly includes a statuesque blond) and their support of the POWs during their internment.

I don’t really have much to talk about in this film. It doesn’t take a single risk in the story or direction, but neither does it make any serious mistakes. It’s aimed solidly for the army-loving conservative set here in America, or perhaps some older viewers who appreciated a simpler style of story telling. Even though I don’t fall into either of those viewing demographics, I can still admit I saw a fine, enjoyable film. Oh, there were definitely some old-timey simplifications where the Japs were the bad guys and we were the good guys, but heck, not every story has to be complicated to be good. At least we didn’t wear white hats and the Japs black ones.

Personally, I think this movie might have come off better with a Guns of Navaronne attitude and star power. I did have some minor problems connecting with the characters, and I think the acting was to blame, but as I said it was successful nonetheless.

Standouts: Solid construction across the board.
Blowouts: Timid filmmaking without a single risk taken.

Grade: B-

12/23/2005