Robin PottratzReview: Despite the odds, "Valkyrie" entertains beyond expectatons *** stars out of four
December 27th 2008 00:13
Tom Cruise in "Valkyrie"
Bryan Singer's "Valkyrie" seemed to be doomed from the start. First, it was the alienating qualities of star Tom Cruise and the German government, then came the constant delays. First "Valkyrie" was to be released in the winter of 2007, then it was moved to summer of 2008, and finally the tale of the treasonous plot by Col. Claus Von Stauffenberg (Cruise) to kill Adolf Hitler found an release date of Christmas day 2008. Many speculators, including myself, were expecting the absolute worst, but low and behold..."Valkyrie" turns out to be a riveting B-movie, full of terrific suspense and above average performances.
Tom Cruise gives one of the better performances of his career as Von Stauffenberg, an office in the Nazi army who loses his left eye, right hand, and two fingers on his left in an attack while stationed in Africa. Harboring anger and resentment toward Hitler and his regime prior to his accident, that anger overflows when he returns home. Knowing this, he is invited to head a secret plot by German officials (Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Terrance Stamp) to assassinate Hitler, institute a republic government (code-named "Operation Valkyrie") and forge a treaty with the allies near the end of WWII before Europe is destroyed.
Once the wheels are in motion, "Valkyrie" moves at a brisk and entertaining pace. We all know the end of the story...but it doesn't matter because the assassination attempt is staged with such no frills urgency by Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects," "X-Men") that it pins you to your seat. None of the actors can be accused of phoning it in either. Cruise is far from the pretty boy image that made him a star to deliver a very mature and righteous performance. Its always a pleasure to see Kenneth Branagh on screen, and his performance as a Major-General who actually attempts the first on-screen assassination of Hitler contains just the right amount of undeniable fear and necessary courage. The always underrated Nighy is solid as General Olbricht who almost lets his fear get the better of him.
However, the biggest scenery chewer has to be the always brilliant Tom Wilkinson as General Friedrich Fromm, a veteran German officer who is always towing the line between what he believes is right and his position and standing in the Nazi party.
"Valkyrie" is not Oscar bait by any stretch of the imagination, but it delivers on the promise it held when it was announced on many levels. Bryan Singer does display his skill in creating a tight, tense, and exciting film that had everything working against it, and couple this with his well-received cameo in "Tropic Thunder," Tom Cruise has successfully completed a minor comeback in a year that was chocked full of them.
In an era of righteousness and cultural ignorance. It is a refreshing thing to see that a B-movie, in the right hands, can instruct about what bravery pointed in the right place can do to inspire others. Even if there are better and more prestigious films this winter (FYI..there are) "Valkyrie" can stand on its own as a piece of still relevant and thoroughly entertaining cinema.
| 37 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog