The “cheesy” parts were probably because it’s based on a real man and according to his family and close friends it’s very true to Doss’ actual life. This film also shows a man from a simpler more idealistic time who lived by a moral code. Not sure if making true to Doss’ life was part of the movie rights deal.

Yeah I was surprised to see cheese in a Gibson film. But it’s not a film that was really “his baby” in the way Braveheart and others were, so I’m still confident he can pull off more truly great work w material he’s enraptured by.

First of all, I only brought any of those stats up because you said the “critics” agreed with you that Hacksaw Ridge is the best war film since Saving Private Ryan. And the fact is, the stats don’t support that assertion. If you feel that way, that’s one thing, and you’re completely entitled to that opinion. But to say that critics are on your side when clearly they aren’t takes a certain amount of cognitive dissonance. And by the way, Metacritic only counts the reviews of the 50 or so top critics working. So not just “anybody” is counted as a critic on that site. It’s why I vastly prefer it to Rotten Tomatoes. A perfect example of how Metacritic is superior to RT is Doctor Strange, which as you noted is over 90% on RT. Meanwhile, its Metacritic score sits at 72, a much closer approximation of the true level of quality of the film. And since Braveheart pre-dates the Metacritic site and far fewer reviews are available, I can almost guarantee it would be significantly higher were it released and reviewed today.

The AFI and the National Board of Review already named Hacksaw Ridge in their top 10. The Wrap is calling a nomination and a win for Gibson. Variety is calling a nomination. Neither Patriots Day nor Hidden Figures made it into the AFI list. They did make it into the National Board of Review. They won’t get big nominations either way.

First of all the religious overtones were part of the story of Desmond. Secondly, it was never preachy or in your face. It was him and his faith, that’s about it. As an agnostic, I did not find it neither preachy nor promoting religion. What corny dialogue? It had well-written dialogue. In regards to its dramatic effect, I don’t know how you can compare it to a Bay film, but everybody has a right to an opinion. Drama has always been one of Mel’s strong suits. He doesn’t make cynical films and that’s a bit of a problem in today’s society. Any emotion is considered overly dramatic. Gibson is not problematic. Ranting does not make one a racist either. He’s been 30 years in the business and no incident. A lot of people, including Jews and blacks defended him and a lot of actors and directors seem to like him. There’s gotta be a reason behind it. Hacksaw Ridge was nowhere near as interesting as the Beaver? Wow…. You must have excellent taste in film. Mel’s performance was great but it was a bad film. Once again, the Hurt Locker was an absolute bore-fest. My criticism of it is certainly less telling than your praise of the Beaver. There are many people who absolutely hated the Hurt Locker.

Braveheart has a metacritic score of 68% on Metacritic and 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. It won Best Picture and is considered of the best films ever made. The same goes for Apocalypto. That proves nothing. Why? Because every idiot who calls himself a critic votes. I should have been clearer. Top critics. Doctor Strange has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Doesn’t prove nothing. Don’t think it ranks higher than Doctor Zhivago… That’s once again certainly your opinion.

You clearly don’t know me. I thought “Apocalypto” was fantastic and still do. This ain’t “Apocalypto.”

I actually think Jenkins could win, but we’ll see.

Privelidged people need to stop attacking people who are BORN a certain way. They cannot help it, it is in their genes. It’s amazing how uneducated people are in the subject.

It is truly shameful we still live in a society such as this where people can write hateful things with impugnity.

Hacksaw Ridge has a score of 71 out of 100 on Metacritic, and an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I don’t even need to dig for the scores of Hurt Locker, Basterds or Iwo Jima to know without a doubt that the critics do not agree with you. But I appreciate your comments about the film and there are definitely a few things I agree with you about with regards to HR’s content. I don’t think it’s a bad movie I just don’t think it’s the best war film of the 21st century.

I agree. It was good but had its fair share of cheesy parts and the mix of CGI in the action scenes ruin those for me.

And I’m not defending Hacksaw Ridge as a film. I thought it was decent, but a lot of your criticisms are apt. But being an amateur Oscar predictor, I felt a long time ago that it was going to resognante with people. It is quite strange that many of these Best Pic potentials seem to have an equal counterpart. Hacksaw – Silence, Fences – Loving, Sully – Patriots Day, Moonlight – Manchester, etc. That only leaves La La Land and Arrival kinda floating on their own. That’s part of the reason I predict La La to win. There’s no another similar story for it to compete with.

“Gibson is problematic. And just apologizing doesn’t mean you aren’t a racist” suggests it has a lot to do with Mel.

Did you really just say “The Beaver” was better than “Hacksaw Ridge” LOL WOW, you lost all credibility after that statement, and “Letters of Iwa Jima” was ok, and “The Hurt Locker” is definitely overrated

You liked it morally. That doesn’t mean it’s a well-made film. And your criticism of “Hurt Locker” may be more telling than anything. That’s one of the best winners of the past 25 years.

Well the AFI audience isn’t the HFPA.

Has zero to do with Mel. “Hacksaw” is not terrific at all in my opinion.

Bias? My dislike of Hacksaw has zero to do with Mel. It’s the on the nose filmmaking, knock you over the head religious overtones and corny dialogue just to start. The movie is as subtle dramatically as a Michael Bay film. And the “battle” scenes pale in comparison to “Saving Private Ryan,” “Hurt Locker,” “Letters From Iwo Jima,” “Blackhawk Down.” Gibson is problematic. And just apologizing doesn’t mean you aren’t a racist, but that has nothing to do with his movies. I thought he was great in front of the camera in Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver.” “Hacksaw” is nowhere near as interesting as that movie.

“sigh, “Hacksaw Ridge.” ” Really?

That’s certainly your opinion. In my opinion it was a better film than those you named and the critics certainly agree with me. The reason it is better, is because it’s not only a war film. It’s a portrait of a complex man who’s thrown into hell and keeps his convictions. As opposed to the films you talk about that are military films, this is a film about humanity and war is the subject it explores. It makes you think and question a lot of things. The films you talk about are nothing but a glorification of the military, with the exception of Letters from Iwo Jima. The Hurt Locker has to be one of the worst films to ever win Best Picture. Inglorious Basterds is fun, but nothing more. It’s only appeal is it’s stylish set-ups and Christoph Waltz performance. It’s a Tarantino take on WW2.

I want Hacksaw to do well because I want Mel to be able to make his Viking movie

Hacksaw Ridge would have to be a better film than The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Waltz With Bashir and Letters From Iwo Jima (to name only a few) in order to be the best war film since Saving Private Ryan. Which it isn’t. I’m not even sure Hacksaw Ridge is better than Jarhead.