MIDWAY – “Lacks a heart at the centre of its destruction”

midway

RATING

DIRECTOR

Roland Emmerich (Independence Day – 1996)

STARRING

  • Ed Skrein as Lieutenant Richard "Dick" Best
  • Patrick Wilson as Lieutenant Commander Edwin T. Layton
  • Luke Evans as Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky
  • Aaron Eckhart as Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle
  • Nick Jonas as Aviation Machinist Mate Bruno Gaido
  • Mandy Moore as Anne Best
  • Woody Harrelson as Admiral Chester Nimitz
  • Dennis Quaid as Vice Admiral William "Bull" Halsey
  • Darren Criss as Lieutenant Commander Eugene Lindsey
  • Jake Weber as Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance

SYNOPSIS

Is based on the true to life attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Battle of Midway

Tells the story of the American leaders and soldiers who used their instincts, fortitude and bravery to overcome the odds during the Battle of Midway, marking a pivotal turning point in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

REVIEW SUMMARY

Yes, Roland Emmerich's Midway is the hollow explosion porn you expect it to be, but it's also a respectful and (at times) rousing one. Unfortunately, this true to life tale is given a heavy coat of "Hollywood," greatly reducing the frank realism a film of this nature requires (Dunkirk this isn’t). The story isn't the only thing lacking depth either, as the impressive cast of actors assembled here are given mostly forgettable material to work with. Sure there are a handful of heartfelt speeches, but it's mostly all boilerplate dialogue that we've heard before. Luckily, there are lots of big explosions to help keep us distracted, with Emmerich's big screen aerial attacks and fly-by battle scenes making for some awe inspiring cinema. The light 'em up razzle-dazzle isn't enough to defeat the limp screenplay however, as Midway ultimately lacks a heart at the centre of its destruction. 

BOX OFFICE TOP 5

ThumbIcon_Flame_2

6.5

ThumbIcon_Volcano_1

9.5

Dune: Part Two
$17.6 million

ThumbIcon_Flame_2

7

Kung Fu Panda 4
$16.8 million

ThumbIcon_Flame_2

7.5

Immaculate
$5.4 million

ThumbIcon_Flame_2

-

Arthur the King
$4.4 million

RECENT FEED