Title: 1917
MPAA Review: R
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

What It Is: When Lance Corporal Blake (Chapman) is tasked with meeting with his brother Lieutenant Joseph Blake (Richard Madden) in order to stop his troop from attacking the German army that’s waiting to be struck. He brings along with him Lance Corporal Schoefield (MacKay) for the ride. Now the two are fighting the odds in order to come out the other side still alive and possibly saving thousands of men’s lives. World War I has never looked like this.

What We Think: There are points in this when you are simply taken aback by the images on the screen. Other times the plot sort of gets in the way of the visuals. This is one of THOSE movies. The acting in this is ace but is let down by a really dry, flat and overall predictable plot. Nonetheless, its visceral, unflinching nature is undeniably beautiful. It’s “one-shot” trick works at bringing you in and when needs separating you from our two protagonists. It’s almost as if you’re along for the ride and that works. Its story crumbles under the weight of the gimmick and the action.

Our Grade: A, Is it one of 2019’s best? Yes, yes it is. That is unmistakable but it isn’t the best film of the year. Be on the lookout for our year-end list soon. That’ll probably be on it. This is our last review of 2019 and what a way to go out. This is a film that only comes around every so often. When it does it has to project itself as “must-see” and hype or not this truly is. George MacKay is going to be a humongous star With vehicles like this it should be fairly easy.