Dunkirk – Review

What is it

A war film set during World War II’s ‘Battle of Dunkirk’, where allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France race to evacuate before the surrounding German army arrives along with near-certain death.

Who’s in it

A couple of Christopher Nolan’s favourites in Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy, as well as Mark Rylance, Fionn Whitehead, and Harry Styles (yes really).

The Good

It’s beautifully shot and directed, and you pretty much NEED to see it in IMAX, given the majority of it was shot with its cameras. Couple that with Hans Zimmer’s electrifying score, and you could be forgiven for thinking you’re actually in the trenches with these terrified soldiers.

The Bad

The score does sometimes override the dialogue, but thankfully there isn’t much spoken at all throughout the film. Some of the editing could have been better, with some moments more confusing than they are compelling. The characters are for the most part one-dimensional.

The Bottom Line

Dunkirk, like many of Christopher Nolan’s films, is an experience. It starts off on a high and never lets you go for its 107-minute runtime. The characters themselves are (apart from Tom Hardy’s character) underdeveloped, but the pure spectacle of the film is such that you probably won’t care.

If there’s an IMAX near you, I cannot recommend enough that you see it there.

RATING: 8.5/10

Dunkirk is out NOW, and is rated ‘M’ for mature themes, violence, and coarse language

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles, Mark Rylance