biggyofmt I don't I've ever seen a film so fairly depict a conflict. It captures the nature of war as long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. It humanizes an enemy, while unflinchingly confronting the evil nature of that nation's leadership. At it's center a sane man struggles to survive in a world that has quite literally gone mad.

gian_99 I have watched this movie on Netflix before it was removed. I have not watched "Flags of our fathers" so I can't compare this movie with its other half, but I found it a good representation of the Japanese, even if maybe the feelings represented are influenced by an American writing of the story.For example the Japanese military police is represented in a harsh way that I have not seen in Japanese movies. The necessity and responsibility the Japanese soldiers felt to defend their country is quite well, maybe not to its full extent, represented, which I imagine could have been difficult to write and watch for Americans. I feel the true Japanese side, ad was felt now, of the events is kind of Americanized or maybe softened in this movie (compare for example with The Emperor in August). On the other hand maybe this movie tells one Japanese side of the history of the war which wouldn't be completely easy to tell by the Japanese without some outside influence.Watanabe is great as usual and the movie is visually good. It lacks"greatness" but it's a nice watch.

comps-784-38265 You have probably seen many classic old war films of the war in the pacific John Wayne 'Sands of Iwo Jima' etc. This film is a modern classic and (unusually) telling the story through the eyes of a young Japanese soldier. I certainly think Clint Eastwood has shown a lot of talent as a director with this and other films. All the acting is good, the filming and combat scenes grittly realistic. The Americans slowly take the island despite fierce resistance from the Japanese. Whats interesting was seeing the Japanese not just as frothing suicidal banzai fanatics willing to die for the Emperor. but actually as real people. Led by their General who knew their only hope was to cause so much casualties to the Americans that they would rethink invading Japan. Possibly a definition of a classic film is one that you can watch many times because the story, the acting and filming engross you (like a good book). Definitely a classic on the tragedy and futility of war. 8.5/10

peefyn I have yet to see Flags of our fathers, but I love the idea behind looking at a conflict from two different sides. I really appreciate what Clint Eastwood has done here, and I hope he and others will continue to explore the "less seen" perspectives of conflicts like this.But it still feels very much like a Western take of the Japanese perspective. The ideal Japanese characters in here has a lot of American influence (having lived there), and while I'm sure the movie is trying to be realistic when it comes to the Japanese mentality, it's still shown as something foreign. There are some good attempts at making their (more extreme) behavior understandable, but I think the movie can only do it's mission justice by going all the way.But when it does succeed, it's a very good movie, with several memorable moments.