Hey folks, Harry here... Well Bruce Willis flick... I'm there... Hell, I saw THE KID, I'll see anything he does... doesn't mean I'll like it though. I'm looking forward to this one, as Willis in WWII sounds like a great idea to me... I hope Quentin uses Bruce in GLORIOUS BASTARDS... hope-a-hope-a-hope-a! Beware of the spoilers, and just so ya know, this one is coming next year I believe...
I've never written you guys before because I never had cause but I have just moved to LA so now I get the chance to see the occasional sneak preview and now I thought I could finally sneak a review to you guys.
I have just seen an advanced screening of Hart's War, the Colin Farrell-Bruce Willis WW2 movie that is coming in April according to IMDB. First, although we were some of the first people to see this, the film seemed mostly complete. It had a soaring score, opening titles and all the effects were there, and although it dragged a little after the beginning, it seemed like they may trim a little but this was a near final version.
This movie details Tom Hart's (Colin Farrell) journey into a German POW camp after a brutal capture and interrogation during which he gives up some key information (not much of a spoiler, you find this out in the first 40 minutes). In the camp, the head of the Americans is Col. William McNamara (Bruce Willis), and the head of the Nazi's is Col. Visser played by Marcel Iures (the bad guy in The Peacemaker). The main thrust of the story is Hart defending a black officer played superbly by Terrence Howard (Big Momma's House, The Best Man) in a court martial murder case where the actual motive and killer are the clues to a great mystery and one which forces Hart to make life altering decisions. Howard supposedly killed a racist soldier played by Cole Hauser who had previously set up the other black officer to be killed by the Nazis, but we all know he didn't do it. Further, the cards are stacked against the black officer on all sides. Hart is a privileged law student with a famous father who reluctantly faces his pampered upbrigning in the face of a terrible situation. Willis' character is a lifelong military man who can't stand being on the sidelines during the war, and he helps Hart adjust to life in the camp while keeping a wary eye on him.
This movie deals a little with the atrocities of war in the opening scenes but after that does not dwell on the subject. The Americans are treated fairly well in this camp. It's nothing like Saving Private Ryan or Schindler's List although there are a few shocking moments.
What sets this movie apart from other WW2 movies is that it does not fall into the Nazis= Evil and Americans=heroes clichés. Col. Visser while performing some cruel acts is a very fair and sympathetic Nazi who actually helps Hart through his first case once he sees the cards are stacked against him. On the other side, not all the Americans are portrayed kindly. There are a lot of racist soldiers and McNamara's actions are very gray.
This movie will be Colin Farrell's first big budget starring role and he pulls it off with ease and real star power. His character, too, is flawed but earnest and he is willing to listen to whoever will give him the best advice even if it is a Nazi. This kids talent is undeniable. Bruce is Bruce with a few good lines and lots of low talking but I still love it. Terence Howard gets a real chance to shine here and hopefully this will lead to more juicy parts.
Overall, Hart's War may not light the world on fire because it's a little slow to get going and doesn't quite get the emotional power you should feel from the experiences these people go through but it is a welcome and fresh addition to the glut of WW2 films in the last few years.
Moviesquabbler
