The Monuments Men Review

RYAN: This is the new film, based on the true story of American soldiers recovering art stolen by Nazis during World War II, written, directed by and starring George Clooney.  It was supposed to come out around Christmas 2013.  It had some awards buzz last year but was pushed back until today and it’s not a very award-worthy piece, but it’s a solid film.

CHUCK: I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It’s World War II-lite.  It’s digestible and they don’t delve too deeply into the grotty parts of the war but it’s an important story to be told.

RYAN: As a rule I hate the war movie genre. But this really is palatable.  It’s lighthearted and upbeat.  It has much of Clooney’s sense of humor in it and feels quite like a Woody Allen movie at times in terms of the pacing, perspective and sensibility; not to mention the ensemble cast.

CHUCK: There were actually times, for me, where it reminded me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The Nazis were bafoonish and just the pacing of it.  You kind of forget you’re dealing with the end of the war.

RYAN: There are a couple moments that choke you but aside from that, it’a lighter movie.  You have John Goodman and Bill Murray who provide some good comedy.  It’s like a well-made piece of furniture – sturdy, finely crafted, and comfortable but a little slow to start.

CHUCK: The set up, true.  It’s also hard to pick a genre.  It’s comedic, thrilling, some moments almost farcical.

RYAN: That’s why I feel it’s like a Woody Allen.

CHUCK: I wish it would have delved a bit deeper into it and focused more on the thriller aspect.

RYAN: It does lack the feeling of suspense which would have heightened the stakes and feeling in the movie.  But it is a bit clunky and episodic in parts when the characters go in different directions.  You have Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett over here and Goodman with Jen Dujardin over there…  There wasn’t more time to delve more.

CHUCK: I wonder what, if anything, was cut.

RYAN: But it did lack suspense and that may be partly due to the score being so lighthearted.  It could have been darker.

CHUCK: That must have come from the direction.  Spielberg and Hitchcock craft suspense; Clooney obviously wasn’t going for that.

RYAN: One thing I found remarkable was the scene where you see artwork being destroyed – not spoiling, this is based on a true story – but the point it that I reacted emotionally to seeing that, almost like how you feel when you see an animal harmed on screen.  And that’s a real testament to the integrity of this film in how it makes you care about the cultural significance of art.

CHUCK: Absolutely and it’s explained throughout the film – the importance of European art.  They were trying to save important pieces in history.

RYAN: Did you notice the subtitles were obnoxiously large?  The font size is huge in this movie!  I’ve never seen anything like that before.  Made it harder to read because it was so big.

CHUCK: I didn’t pay attention to that but you’re right.  And I loved Matt Damon’s subtitles.

RYAN: Cate is wonderful as always.

CHUCK: She’s extraordinary.

RYAN: If anyone, George had a great moment at the end which was potentially award-worthy had this come out at the right time.

CHUCK: Yes but the rest of the time he just dialed it in and played himself as he usually does.

RYAN: When Jen Dujardin smiles, I just melt.

CHUCK: And this is the first time many in the audience will hear him speak, having only know him from winning the Oscar for the silent film The Artist. But he’s brilliant.  The whole cast is.  John Goodman and Bill Murray are worth the price of admission alone.

RYAN: It’s slow to start but definitely a deep, solid, good movie.

Thanks For Viewing The The Monuments Men Review