Valkyrie (2008)

[Darrell]

Valkyrie (2008)

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/2446/1754256617542570largerc9.jpg

Today we made the trek to the crazy busy theater to see Tom Cruise in his latest film Valkyrie, actually let me clarify. We did not go to the movies to see Tom Cruise per se, we went because I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this movie since I first saw the preview, I in fact cannot stand that wacko Tom Cruise.

This movie is based around probably the most elaborate attempt to take Hitlers life in history. Tom Cruise is Colonel Claus Von Staffenberg a career military man who became disfigured in battle. He and several others have much disdain for the Reich and their fuhrer and launch an elaborate scheme to kill Hitler and place a new power in Berlin for the betterment of Germany.

Everything about this film was amazing. The scenery was beautiful and well thought out from the dim buildings to the bright red swastika flags which yelled out to the audience. The character development in this was amazing, every character deserving was well thought out and their background and part in the plan explained in great detail.

This was an EXCELLENT film. Their were parts of this movie that had both my heart and Danielle's heart racing in suspense and anticipation. The best things about this whole film is how it really gave you an inside look at how the plot to kill Hitler all came to together and made you realize that all of these men were high ranking military officials, Generals, Colonels, etc. If any of them had been caught during the planning of them, they would have all been killed. I really have to give credit to Tom Cruise for his role as Staffenberg as the man is a nut case in real life, but he really came to life in this film. My only beef with this film is I think it should have been completely shot in German and subtitled, but that's just me. I will purchase this on DVD for sure and would love to see it again before then.

I give it 4.5 stars. :tu

Valkyrie on iMDB.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0985699/

[yourchoice]

Thanks for the review Darrell. My wife and I don't go to the movies nearly as much anymore, but this is one film I'm anxious to see. Glad to hear you thought so highly of it.

[Cigary]

Ditto this,,,have been waiting for this film to come out since I first heard. I'm with you about Mr. Cruise,,,the guy is a dillhole but if the film is that good I imagine a trip to the theater is inevitable.

[hotreds]

Yup- saw it today as well. My father is an expert on this plot, I will have to ask him how much fiction is in here. Some things I just don't think happened, but I'm no expert! I agree that this was a very good movie- hopefully the crowds that see(our theater was packed) it will learn something from it!

[TOB9595]

Darrell thanks for giving it the thumbs up.

I am usually disappointed in Cruise movies..
I am a buff of this part of the war.
Tom

[M1903A1]

IIRC, this plot was the undoing of legendary Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

He was involved and was discovered, but because of his high standing he was secretly allowed to take poison, instead of being hanged with piano wire like the rest of the conspirators.

[Pyrokin]

My only beef with this film is I think it should have been completely shot in German and subtitled, but that's just me.

you mean everyone doesn't speak english everywhere?!?!?!
=P


Thanks for the review, I wasn't sure I wanted to see it but WWII shows/movies interest me, now I know I'll go see it for sure.

[Darrell]

IIRC, this plot was the undoing of legendary Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

He was involved and was discovered, but because of his high standing he was secretly allowed to take poison, instead of being hanged with piano wire like the rest of the conspirators.

Yep.

I bet Hitler **** a brick when he found out about Rommel. After all if my memory serves me Hitler loved Rommel which is why he was the youngest man in history to be promoted to Generalfeldmarschall.

[icehog3]

He was involved and was discovered, but because of his high standing he was secretly allowed to take poison, instead of being hanged with piano wire like the rest of the conspirators.

Dammit, Scott....now I know the ending!!

This is worse than when someone told me Old Yeller dies before I saw the movie on TCM.

[M1903A1]

This is worse than when someone told me Old Yeller dies before I saw the movie on TCM.

You mean Old Yeller's NOT living in a two-flat in Kalamazoo with Elvis????:eek:

[icehog3]

You mean Old Yeller's NOT living in a two-flat in Kalamazoo with Elvis????:eek:

Nope.....that would be Jim Morrison. ;)

[Don Fernando]

this movie could be the big break for Carice van Houten.

[longknocker]

Thanks for the Review, Darrell! Sounds like a "Must See"!:tu

[hotreds]

My Dad went to see it today(I don't think he's been to a movie theater in 30 years!) and told me it was very, very true to life! The only incorrect detail was at the end, all four guys were shot together, not one at a time. He was impressed- so that adds to my high regard for the film.

[Darrell]

My Dad went to see it today(I don't think he's been to a movie theater in 30 years!) and told me it was very, very true to life! The only incorrect detail was at the end, all four guys were shot together, not one at a time. He was impressed- so that adds to my high regard for the film.

That's great news!

It's good to hear the film held true to history and was not full of all kinds of Hollywood BS!

[MikeyC]

Dammit, Scott....now I know the ending!!

This is worse than when someone told me Old Yeller dies before I saw the movie on TCM.

Is it worse than when I told you at the end of Titanic the boat sinks? :r

On a serious note, I'm looking forward to seeing this movie. However, I've been told it's almost 3 hours long. Is that correct?

[Darrell]

I've been told it's almost 3 hours long. Is that correct?

No, it's just barely 2 hours.

[GoatLocker]

Saw this today with my dad, while wife, mom and daughter saw The Day The Earth Stood Still. Overall, the movie was not bad. The cinematography in the North Africa scene was great, but nothing much after that. To me Cruise was a let down, as usual. His character just didn't pull off the conflicted, torn officer leading the conspiracy save his country from Hitler.

[DavenportESQ]

Why no German accents though?

[Buena Fortuna]

Tom Cruise hasn't made a good movie since...well...'nuf said...:hm

[King James]

Tom Cruise hasn't made a good movie since...well...'nuf said...:hm

What 'bout Top Gun and Days of Thunder????

[Don Fernando]

Tom Cruise hasn't made a good movie since...well...'nuf said...:hm

Tom Cruise is a weirdo, a freak, a mental patient, but I like most of his movies.

[GhostRyder]

I'm glad it has been given a thumbs up. I really want this movie to be good since the plot is incredibly interesting (another history buff here). But I cannot stand Tom Cruise. At least the director didn't insult the audience by attempting to give everyone an English accent. I hate it when they do that. I would prefer this whole thing to be in German, but since it isn't I'm glad they just let them speak whatever without trying to force some ridiculous accent.

[M1903A1]

What 'bout Top Gun and Days of Thunder????

Tom Cruise wasn't the star of Top Gun...the F-14A Tomcat was!

[DavenportESQ]

What 'bout Top Gun and Days of Thunder????

Tropic Thunder is a third!

[Buena Fortuna]

What 'bout Top Gun and Days of Thunder????
My point exactly! LOL
Posted via Mobile Device

[Buena Fortuna]

Tom Cruise wasn't the star of Top Gun...the F-14A Tomcat was!
Absolutely couldn't agree more!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rock Star]

Tom Cruise hasn't made a good movie since...well...'nuf said...:hm

i hear the movie was good but he made it suck.

[Darrell]

His character just didn't pull off the conflicted, torn officer leading the conspiracy save his country from Hitler.

I think because he was not torn, nor conflicted. He was very much convinced his actions were just and for the better of Germany. Their was not need to be conflicted or torn. :2

[TOB9595]

I have to believe that there was GREAT conflict and second guessing of himself.

He was going against ALL that he stood for, Honor, Oath...ALL his training to obey..

WOW!!!
I'm trying to think on it and in the beginning...he had to be torn. AFTER he convinced himself of the right of this he would go full bore
?????
Tom

[hotreds]

Tom Cruise wasn't the star of Top Gun...the F-14A Tomcat was!

HOORAH!

http://www.montgomeryaviationphotography.com/nasoc2005/Resized_f14atcha.jpg

[hotreds]

At 8 pm tonight there is a show on the History Channel about Valkyrie.

[Fishbeadtwo]

Saw this last night and really liked from the historical point of view. Agree about Tom C. being a dillhole!

[ca21455]

Unfortunately I found the moving to be quite boring. There was very little said about why they wanted to overthrow Hitler which in large part a typical "Hollywood oversight" especially since Cruise would not approve of the fact his character's strong Catholic beliefs guided his decision.

The movie is fairly accurate, however in the typical Hollywood fashion they delay Hitlers announcement he is alive to enhance the plot.

I found Cruise to be dull and unbelievable in his role. I expected to find more conviction in what he was doing but it always ended in a "thud" for me.

In all this movie should have been made as a full throttle action film or a physiological thriller delving into the thoughts and minds of the characters. To me the movie missed on both parts and was very shallow and not entertaining.

[Clampdown]

It was an ok movie, not great, not horrible. What i loved the most were the british accents by the actors and the absence of any accent by Tom Cruise.

[auburnfan1980]

Unfortunately I found the moving to be quite boring. There was very little said about why they wanted to overthrow Hitler which in large part a typical "Hollywood oversight" especially since Cruise would not approve of the fact his character's strong Catholic beliefs guided his decision.

The movie is fairly accurate, however in the typical Hollywood fashion they delay Hitlers announcement he is alive to enhance the plot.

I found Cruise to be dull and unbelievable in his role. I expected to find more conviction in what he was doing but it always ended in a "thud" for me.

In all this movie should have been made as a full throttle action film or a physiological thriller delving into the thoughts and minds of the characters. To me the movie missed on both parts and was very shallow and not entertaining.

I agree with most of your comments.....the film should have made up it's mind between developing into a full-blown action sequence-filled epic, or a deep psycological thriller/drama and it offered shallow glimpses of both. Overall, I think it did a great job of holding your attention, however, but this is mostly due to the fact that the story itself is intense and quite compelling aside from any sort of Hollywood script/actors. Before going into the film, I had already made up my mind that I was pissed off that Tom Cruise didn't speak a bit of German, must less have any sort of accent. I was pleasantly surprised to find the opening scene with him in fact speaking German and it slowly evolving into English before the scene was over. Overall, I think it was definitely a solid film as I actually told my friends that I give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. Definitely one worth going to see.....just don't have unrealistic expectations before screening it.

Jason

[KidRock]

I liked the movie alot..major history buff. When does Deivance with Daniel Craigh come out?

[elderboy02]

Thanks for the review! :tu I want to see this movie.

[smitdavi]

Tom Cruise hasn't made a good movie since...well...'nuf said...:hm

Hey now....TC is one of my favorite actors. Don't necessarily like him as a person, but I LOVE his movies:

A Few Good Men
Top Gun
Days of Thunder
Mission:Impossible
Jerry Maguire
The Last Samurai
Cocktail
etc... :D

And yes Valkyrie was a great movie :tu

[ucla695]

Thanks for the reviews. I liked the plot when I first saw the trailers, but have been hesitant to support Cruise. I guess I'll have to add it to the list of movies to see.