Movie #32: Saving Private Ryan

Movie #: 32
Movie Title: Saving Private Ryan
Year Released: 1998

Director: Steven Spielberg
Notable Cast: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davies, Paul Giamatti

Short Description: Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: #71
IMDB.com: #38
Ranker.com: #16
Lifed.com: #48
Empire.com: N/A
FilmCrave.com: #17
FlickChart.com: #61



Date Watched: 10/29/2016

Grade: 4 out of 5 (Excellent)

Rationale: The Invasion of Normandy scene that kicks off James Ryan's flashback at the beginning of Saving Private Ryan is likely the most intense action sequence I've ever seen and anything less would have been a disappointment. I appreciate that Steven Spielberg doesn't hold back one iota and sets a strong tone for the subsequent two hours. All of the members of the ensemble cast, led by Tom Hanks, were magnificent and my only beef is that some of the interesting supporting character stories were only glanced upon rather than delved into. Saving Private Ryan is among the best war movies there is and isn't too shabby as far as movies in general go, regardless of genre.