Mel Gibson directs “HackSaw Ridge”, a war movie that is both realistic and moving. It as released on Nov. 4th, and portrays the life of veteran Desmond Doss. Photo by Wikipedia.
By CONNOR MCCAGE – Staff Writer
After his decade long absence, Mel Gibson returns to the directing chair to deliver a war movie to rival Stephen Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”
“HackSaw Ridge”, released Nov. 4, is not a movie about meaningless death, or a superhero movie with cliche and corny lines, CGI and an overuse of slow-motion. It is a true story about an American hero who fought for his right not to fight.
Even though “Hacksaw Ridge” is a famous battle, the movie is centered around real life World War II veteran Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) and his story as a conscientious objector to carrying a gun. His decision and refusal to pick up a weapon or take a life, put him against his superiors and eventually the Axis Forces as well.
Garfield shows acting capabilities and prowess that were absent from previous films such as “The Amazing Spiderman” and “The Amazing Spiderman 2”. He takes the role into his own while still being accurate to whom Doss really was. The supporting cast of Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving and Sam Worthington help develop the character of Doss as well.
The movie is very violent, but accurately portrays what it was really like to be a soldier on those battlefields. “Hacksaw Ridge” also intensely deals with Desmond Doss’ religious beliefs and one can see the connections that can be made to Director Mel Gibson’s own beliefs.
“Hacksaw Ridge” is a celebration of every man and woman that has served their country. It is a movie that must be experienced in theaters, and is a masterpiece that will be remembered for decades.
