Dunkirk - Chris Nolan's latest film (1 Viewer)

[PlayaHata]

Been wanting to see this movie for some time and finally saw it on HBO last night.  Unfortunately, I feel like I watched a different movie than most all of you.  I love war movies, but overall I thought it was mostly a complete bore.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the historical aspect of what is being portrayed - it's an awesome, heartwarming story.  However, the movie as shown on screen really didn't grab me in the slightest.  

 

[TripItUp]

Been wanting to see this movie for some time and finally saw it on HBO last night.  Unfortunately, I feel like I watched a different movie than most all of you.  I love war movies, but overall I thought it was mostly a complete bore.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the historical aspect of what is being portrayed - it's an awesome, heartwarming story.  However, the movie as shown on screen really didn't grab me in the slightest.  

you have to watch this in the theatre IMHO...a completely different experience.

 

[RokNRole]

you have to watch this in the theatre IMHO...a completely different experience.

It’s a tad late for that.

 

[the moops]

I have watched it twice in no theater settings. Once on a seatback screen on an airplane, and once on my laptop at home. Loved it both times

 

[Major]

Been wanting to see this movie for some time and finally saw it on HBO last night.  Unfortunately, I feel like I watched a different movie than most all of you.  I love war movies, but overall I thought it was mostly a complete bore.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the historical aspect of what is being portrayed - it's an awesome, heartwarming story.  However, the movie as shown on screen really didn't grab me in the slightest.  

Late to thread.  One of the only movies I've watched in a theater last year.  Share similar sentiment.  Very disappointed. 

 

[Moonlight]

Was somewhat disappointed when I saw it in theaters last year. The time jumps back and forth threw me and had some trouble keeping it straight. Also fighting a faceless enemy who is not personified except through bombs and bullets was not my style. I did like the tension though I was restless with the claustrophobia of some of the drowning situations. Liked the aerial combat the best.

Rewatched on HBO last night and enjoyed it much more. Now had an idea where the film was going and the time jumps didn't irritate and I appreciated the different perspectives of the same event. The tension remains and the aerial combat was still a highlight. Dunkirk is somewhat artsy and is somewhat underplayed in ways that audiences may expect to be more over the top. 

 

[Ilov80s]

you have to watch this in the theatre IMHO...a completely different experience.

One of the 2 or 3 most amazing films in a theater I have seen. 

 

[RokNRole]

One of the 2 or 3 most amazing films in a theater I have seen. 

What were the other 1-2?

 

[Ilov80s]

What were the other 1-2?

I  can actually think of 3 that really stand out for widely different reasons

- Jurassic Park: it came out the perfect time (I was 11) and the theater had all the upgraded surround sound, it just blew me away

- Ace Ventura: I was 12 years old and a friend rented out the theater. The movie was unbelievably funny to a huge room of wild 12 years olds who could act like fools through the entire thing.

- The Passion of Joan of Arc: I saw it performed live with an 80 person choir and an orchestra. It was an immaculate 4k restoration. That is probably the most moving and powerful experience I have had watching a movie. 

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Just watched this again last night on cable. Fantastic, again.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Been wanting to see this movie for some time and finally saw it on HBO last night.  Unfortunately, I feel like I watched a different movie than most all of you.  I love war movies, but overall I thought it was mostly a complete bore.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the historical aspect of what is being portrayed - it's an awesome, heartwarming story.  However, the movie as shown on screen really didn't grab me in the slightest.  

Watching it again last night I was struck by the impossibility if telling this tale. How could anyone dare to try given the sweep? In the end they told the story of a man on the ground, a man on the sea, and a man in the air. Land, sea and air. So I like that.

I will say I found keeping track of the individual soldiers and who was who difficult. 

 

[rockaction]

 The Passion of Joan of Arc: I saw it performed live with an 80 person choir and an orchestra. It was an immaculate 4k restoration. That is probably the most moving and powerful experience I have had watching a movie. 

Where did that happen? I'd have flown to see that. Detroit? 

The Passion de Jeanne d'Arc? 

*That's what Anna cried to in Breathless or Bande Apart, if I'm not mistaken

 

[Ilov80s]

Where did that happen? I'd have flown to see that. Detroit? 

The Passion de Jeanne d'Arc? 

*That's what Anna cried to in Breathless or Bande Apart, if I'm not mistaken

It was at the Detroit Institute of Art a couple months ago. It was a religious like experience. 

 

[TLEF316]

Been wanting to see this movie for some time and finally saw it on HBO last night.  Unfortunately, I feel like I watched a different movie than most all of you.  I love war movies, but overall I thought it was mostly a complete bore.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the historical aspect of what is being portrayed - it's an awesome, heartwarming story.  However, the movie as shown on screen really didn't grab me in the slightest.  

This is EXACTLY how I feel. Just tried to watch it and I didn't even make it halfway through. I've quit on like 5 movies in my entire life and this is one of them.

And I'm a history major that generally loves WW2 films. And I've liked most of Nolan's films. (although I've never seen Memento)

I fully expected to pull up this thread and find a bunch of guys that felt the exact same way. Pretty shocked and the near unanimous praise in here.  Maybe it got better at the end or maybe you NEED the theater experience but this was a complete snoozer for me. I fully expected to love it.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

This is EXACTLY how I feel. Just tried to watch it and I didn't even make it halfway through. I've quit on like 5 movies in my entire life and this is one of them.

And I'm a history major that generally loves WW2 films. And I've liked most of Nolan's films. (although I've never seen Memento)

I fully expected to pull up this thread and find a bunch of guys that felt the exact same way. Pretty shocked and the near unanimous praise in here.  Maybe it got better at the end or maybe you NEED the theater experience but this was a complete snoozer for me. I fully expected to love it.

I can understand that you had high expectations and it didn't meet them for you.

But I don't understand at all how it can be a snoozefest/boring etc., as it never really slows down the entire running time. 

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

Add me to the list as someone who loves war movies, loves WW2 history in general, but just couldn’t get into this movie. 

 

[TLEF316]

I can understand that you had high expectations and it didn't meet them for you.

But I don't understand at all how it can be a snoozefest/boring etc., as it never really slows down the entire running time. 

I think that's kind of the point. The pace just never seemed to change.

-A bunch of nameless guys sullenly standing on a beach

-A bunch of nameless guys halfheartedly (since they know there really isn't much hope) go to ground as a bomber flies over their heads

-2 guys silently carry a stretcher down a pier and then hide under it.

-A bunch of guys quietly eat toast until a a torpedo hits them and they just sort of fall into the water

-3 guys on a boat slowly drive off toward dunkirk

-2 pilots casually engage in a dogfight with the enemy until one of them eases into the ocean like an old man sitting in a bath tub.

I get that the depressing/hopeless of nature of the operation was a big part of what Nolan was trying to convey. But the whole first half of the movie (all I was able to make it through) was just one note and brutal for me to watch. I kept waiting for SOMEONE to say something interesting. Hell, the only character I could even name was George because the father and son on the boat kept saying his name. Everyone else was just "random depressed English guy".

Clearly I'm in the minority in this thread, and that's fine.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I think that's kind of the point. The pace just never seemed to change.

-A bunch of nameless guys sullenly standing on a beach

-A bunch of nameless guys halfheartedly (since they know there really isn't much hope) go to ground as a bomber flies over their heads

-2 guys silently carry a stretcher down a pier and then hide under it.

-A bunch of guys quietly eat toast until a a torpedo hits them and they just sort of fall into the water

-3 guys on a boat slowly drive off toward dunkirk

-2 pilots casually engage in a dogfight with the enemy until one of them eases into the ocean like an old man sitting in a bath tub.

I get that the depressing/hopeless of nature of the operation was a big part of what Nolan was trying to convey. But the whole first half of the movie (all I was able to make it through) was just one note and brutal for me to watch. I kept waiting for SOMEONE to say something interesting. Hell, the only character I could even name was George because the father and son on the boat kept saying his name. Everyone else was just "random depressed English guy".

Clearly I'm in the minority in this thread, and that's fine.

I think that you gave up too early, like turning off Saving Private Ryan because it was just a bunch of guys getting killed on a beach.

Maybe watch the 2nd half sometime to see if you still thought it was too one dimensional?

 

[TLEF316]

I think that you gave up too early, like turning off Saving Private Ryan because it was just a bunch of guys getting killed on a beach.

Maybe watch the 2nd half sometime to see if you still thought it was too one dimensional?

The SPR scene was thrilling. Nothing about the first half of Dunkirk was even 1/10th as exciting. (and SPR actually introduced you to some characters and their personalities despite the insanity that was going on)

Maybe I'll try again one day. But doubtful. It takes a LOT for me to give up on a movie.  I couldn't believe how bored I was with this one.

 

[Moonlight]

I think that's kind of the point. The pace just never seemed to change.

-A bunch of nameless guys sullenly standing on a beach

-A bunch of nameless guys halfheartedly (since they know there really isn't much hope) go to ground as a bomber flies over their heads

-2 guys silently carry a stretcher down a pier and then hide under it.

-A bunch of guys quietly eat toast until a a torpedo hits them and they just sort of fall into the water

-3 guys on a boat slowly drive off toward dunkirk

-2 pilots casually engage in a dogfight with the enemy until one of them eases into the ocean like an old man sitting in a bath tub.

I get that the depressing/hopeless of nature of the operation was a big part of what Nolan was trying to convey. But the whole first half of the movie (all I was able to make it through) was just one note and brutal for me to watch. I kept waiting for SOMEONE to say something interesting. Hell, the only character I could even name was George because the father and son on the boat kept saying his name. Everyone else was just "random depressed English guy".

Clearly I'm in the minority in this thread, and that's fine.

Understand this critique. There was perhaps a bit of detached, stoic, stiff British upper lip theme that ran through it. The German enemy was deliberately kept faceless that I think contributed to that detachment. With that being said I watched Dunkirk a second time about a year later and felt more accepting of its style. Its a beautiful film.

 

[matuski]

Been wanting to see this movie for some time and finally saw it on HBO last night.  Unfortunately, I feel like I watched a different movie than most all of you.  I love war movies, but overall I thought it was mostly a complete bore.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the historical aspect of what is being portrayed - it's an awesome, heartwarming story.  However, the movie as shown on screen really didn't grab me in the slightest.  

Yep.. I didn't make it 15 minutes the first time around on HBO... got about halfway through the next effort.  Watched the last part last night.

Just couldn't get with it.  Every little effort to string out whatever tension there was just dragged on way too long.

 

[Redwes25]

Finally saw this last night and thought it was excellent. Not as action packed as something like SPR or some other war movies but I thought it was very powerful and conveyed the hopelessness/miracle that occurred. 

 

[Ilov80s]

You only made it 15 minutes? Wow

 

[KarmaPolice]

You only made it 15 minutes? Wow

Probably all you need to watch to realize there isn't a giant robot, superhero, or Vin Diesel in it.  Pass!

Joking aside, I have bailed on movies, but 15mins is barely the credits and 1 or 2 scenes...

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Yep.. I didn't make it 15 minutes the first time around on HBO... got about halfway through the next effort.  Watched the last part last night.

Just couldn't get with it.  Every little effort to string out whatever tension there was just dragged on way too long.

Oof

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Normally if somebody told me “you have to see this in THE THEATER” I’d scoff.

But Dunkirk is probably one of those movies.  

 

[matuski]

You only made it 15 minutes? Wow

I didn't have a timer going... the first scene or two.  Brutal.  Even in the context of getting it, still brutal.

 

[matuski]

It felt like they were carrying a stretcher down the same beach/pier for an hour.

 

[matuski]

The least impactful dog fighting I've seen grace a screen.  

 

[matuski]

I'm pretty sure I watched a scene where dudes tried to plug bullet holes in the hull of a beached boat with their fingers for half an hour.

 

[matuski]

The only thing that worked was linking the story lines and bringing them together full circle.  That was well done.

 

[the moops]

oof indeed

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I think he spent more time posting here than he did watching the film.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I think he spent more time posting here than he did watching the film.

I think you need to view his posts on a big screen to really appreciate the desperation and hopelessness they are trying to convey.

 

[Bull Dozier]

The least impactful dog fighting I've seen grace a screen.  

Interesting take.  I found it to be one of the few WWII digfighting scenes where I came away feeling like I know how it felt to sit in the cockpit.  It's wasn't over the top crazy action, but I felt the vibration of the cockpit on turns, etc.

I think that is a sliver of what the movie was trying to do.  It wasn't an action movie in the traditional sense, but it was trying to make you understand how it felt to be in those various situations.  It takes time to do that, which might make it feel slow to people who aren't getting in to it.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I too found it underwhelming.

I think rather than attempting to tell the story of Dunkirk, Nolan instead simply used it as a context to prove how adept he is at constructing Inception-like movie structures.

In the end it felt a bit like a vanity project - albeit one more exciting than normal.

 

[matuski]

Interesting take.  I found it to be one of the few WWII digfighting scenes where I came away feeling like I know how it felt to sit in the cockpit.  It's wasn't over the top crazy action, but I felt the vibration of the cockpit on turns, etc.

I think that is a sliver of what the movie was trying to do.  It wasn't an action movie in the traditional sense, but it was trying to make you understand how it felt to be in those various situations.  It takes time to do that, which might make it feel slow to people who aren't getting in to it.

I'm coming to the understanding that indeed, the movie was meant to be viewed in a theatre.  

I get that it was trying to convey that experience, but it seemed that they dragged it on minutes too long every chance they got, with every scene in the movie.  

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Watched it again this weekend. Really one of my favorite WW2 movies ever made.

Probably need to binge watch the others again, from "A Bridge Too Far" to "Bridge on the River Kwai", to decide exactly where to put it. But it will be near the top.