Spoonatects
Am i the only one who thinks........Average?
Quiet Muffin
This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
spiritof67
Spike Lee is erratic. We all know, or should, know that. He will in his best films throw in a "What?" moment that trips up everything you've seen up to then. Or he will, in his many films/projects where all you can say IS "What?" throw in a moment that shows there's a real talent there. The problem is, you never can tell which will be which - so I think it's the old story of which one came to work that day. SPOILER HEREThe story told here is a good one, but the first scene loop is critically important. The problem in modern audiences is that many boobs are just putting away their smartphones after sending that all-important last text, so the context of the whole movie may be lost on them.This is a story about what were called Negro Troops in Italy during WW2. They weren't allowed in combat in the early part of the war since we all knew (?) that Negroes were unsuitable for combat because (insert here period racist belief of your choice). In the later stages when guys like my Uncle George were sent there - under white officers in command, of course, since (insert other period racist belief) but we needed the troops, so....the early battle scenes are realistic and grim. But the story unfolds about an item that becomes important and even crucial.Performances are very good all around, with little "I knew that would happen" to contend with. While the "history" portion of the story may not be linear, the many small items of human conduct ring true then, and sometimes now. I especially liked the way the interaction between the Italian civilians and the Negro Troops was handled - not the stereotypical stuff, and Spike did some good work here, as he did with the attitudes of the Troops towards the war, America's treatment of them, and a few other things,As for the films' length, I didn't think it long at all. The story was strong enough to sustain it through all and I wasn't clock-watching during it. SPOILER ALERTI thought the ending seemed compressed, which made me wonder if there's an even longer "Director's Cut" out there somewhere. Also, for the attention-deprived, a lot of this RAI co-production is in Italian with subtitles, so it will require "reading" of "words".As another reviewer said "I didn't know it was a Spike Lee film", and unfortunately that's praise. I didn't know it either. It was a good movie.
mistermassive
I can't say enough about this movie. Firstly, your dealing with the people who (since day day one) always play the part of pawn, cannon fodder and war dog. Often found walking point, cleaning toilets, fixing trucks you find the black guys in the military. But when it counts in "the clutch" and lives are on the line it's when these men have often risen above the rest. So as the cream rises to the top this move is rich with STORY (you know lacking in most movies any longer).Intertwined storytelling and excellent dialogue makeup the bulk of the acting scenes. The lighting, coloring schemes and overall appearance are lively and always seem to provide wonderful depth. Often I was surprised at how playful the soundtrack and audio was for this film considering rather dark content (no not the actors you racists).But with high caliber props, thoughtful and expertly filmed action sequences (on par with anything I call a keeper for my collection), vehicles and WWII memorabilia. Enough eye candy for any WWII buff. The high points for me are literally too many to nail down. I am not lying when I say it was as "pretty" as "Band of Brothers" with the acting (spoken dialogue) of a top notch mafia movie; all executed so very well, bravo guys! I would honestly love to see many many more black guy war movies (IT'S ONLY FAIR Hollywood!)- Budget is important and so is teamwork. This film to me represents something that could kick off top grade future movies with heart, bravery and lovable moments. Time to find more moves by this director and team! Oh me? - White 40-50, Denver, Colorado, Pot Smoker and lover not a fighter :)
jim_85258
I wish IMDb still had their discussion board because I would like to discuss this movie. First off I doubt this movie was meant to be a docudrama. They just instilled a story to the factual event. I am not a Spike Lee fan but I liked this movie and think it was one of Spikes best works. I like movies that evoke feeling and this movie did lots of that. Yes it could have been better but I can almost say that about every movie I have ever viewed. All in all I really enjoyed Miracle at St Anna.
ffreemon
I just saw this on TV. Reading the other reviews, I am struck by my different take. I think all the other reviewers like traditional films with a beginning, a plot, boy loses girl, boy finds girl, bad guy is killed, hero kisses the horse. This is not like that at all. You think you are following the story rather well and then, zoom, you are off in another story. Despite the fact that the plot doesn't follow a predictable course, I never lost interest. I never knew what was happening next. I never figured out some things. Who was the guy who was killed in the beginning? Summary: this is certainly a movie worth seeing if you do not try to fit it into a mold that exists in your mind but not in life.