2017 Summer Movie Season - Dunkirk: Review & Analysis

Slow Tide!!! Christopher Nolan's War Time Epic Is Effective But Slow Paced Time Burner!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

Survival Is Victory

Story Description

During the summer of the 1940s, World War II rages on between allied forces and the German army. On the beaches of Dunkirk, the British division of the alliance find themselves trapped on land with no back up or naval support to assist. With their boys backed in a corner with no way of getting home, local civilians take the unimaginable risk to bring their forces home in one of the most daring rescue missions in the history of the world. 

Commander Bolton Looks On With His Allied Units on The Dunkirk Bridge 

Critical and Financial Analysis

Warner Bros and Christopher Nolan prepare to transport the audience into one of the biggest historical incursions of World War II. Behind Nolan's legendary direction and a mix of young up and coming talent, Dunkirk looked to be the must see substance and drama based war epic of the summer. The film has been incredibly well received by critics and fans. The movie scored a strong 92% Certified Fresh rating via rotten tomatoes with an equally impressive 84% fresh rating from audiences. The film performed well financially grabbing the top of the box office with a $50.5 million total domestically with an additional $55.4 million overseas bringing the film a worldwide total of $105.9 million. With universal acclaim and an above expectation box office performance, Dunkirk seems like the God sent shot in the arm for a very seemingly underwhelming summer season.

Chaos on the Front Lines

Film Review

As an avid fan of Christopher Nolan's work, I was more than eager to see him return to the cinematic forefront with another potential showstopper of a film. His latest film, Dunkirk, looked to bring the grit and emotional drama of the pivotal trials and tribulations of WWII in stunning detail and ambiance behind Nolan's leadership and a solid ensemble cast. After experiencing the film in IMAX, the film is an effective piece of filmmaking despite not being necessarily an entertaining nor engaging one. Christopher Nolan has proven over his decorated career he can create films that entertain and engage audiences. With Dunkirk, he sticks to telling a grounded story of soldiers looking to leave the horrors of war time violence for the peace and serenity of home. A noble act of storytelling that could have been an incredibly captivating experience. Unfortunately, the film falls short of that. In the beginning, Dunkirk starts off strong with a tension filled opening that sets the tone nicely. But afterwards, the movie's pace slows down creating a slow-moving narrative that only the select few will allow and accept. Action sequences boil down to a few booms and some admittedly tension filled scenes that keep things interesting but not enough to hold the audience in tow. The performances from the film's ensemble are solid but you never are invested in the characters' journey or struggle because you don't know much about them which makes them hard to root for or care what happens to them. Nolan has shown his ability to create heart stopping action sequences and set pieces that are fast paced and intense. In this film, that fast paced and intense sense of action could have benefited the film making for an experience that was effectively moving and entertaining. Overall, Dunkirk does succeed in being a great example of filmmaking but its lack of entertainment value and a sluggish pace keep it from truly being great and ultimately anywhere in the realm of memorable.

Rating and Final Thoughts

A strong example of cinematic filmmaking despite lack of a faster pace, Nolan's war film does what is

necessary to be an effective film rather than a bombastic action romp.  

Entertainment or not, There nothing quite like seeing a master at work.