Wunderland

This is my first review ever..

Came into this movie not expecting much and attracted that Tom was in it. But boy should I have lower my expectations even further. Yes uniforms/wardrobe props look good. But not to blame the acting too much, they did what they could but with director and writer not making it easier for them.. the conversations the clichés of platoon life is laughable, the combat strategies and the nonexistent will to live given the positioning of germans and response to an ambush... Well next time maybe the director should do something that does not contain any kind of group dynamic as he struggles to make it seem real, seen lots of movies with bad acting but still the content made it better, in Wunderland its the opposite.

If you want a decent reflection of Battle of the Bulge, watch Band of Brothers ep 6 and 7, or even the 1965 movie "Battle of the Bulge.

This one is so bad that it should be used as a model for directors on how *not* to make a war movie. Unlimited shooting, even though there's no indication anyone has more than a few magazines. Muzzle flashes without sound. Soldiers on both sides strolling along the front lines, chatting away while not looking for the enemy. Soldiers attacking on both sides, standing upright in large, tight groups, only at a brisk walk...until the shooting starts when they stop and kneel to shoot back. The waiting until the enemy is just a few meters away before they open up...

Just pathetic, and maddening, when you consider that after so many good WWII movies setting the bar so high, why this? ...Why?!

Some redeeming qualities but not many. The cinematography and sound track were pretty decent, the dialog and acting turned this into a titanic. The actual story of of the battle of the bulge is compelling and powerful and carries this film with moments of drama interrupted by high school level acting. It is shame to see such a great story totally butchard and degraded. I tried to give this film a fair shot but when an SS officer openly shares his faith with his prisoner as a sign of human commonality I just lost it. Not to say that men of faith could hide in the SS, his open and free expression exposed the director's and writer's naiveté explaining the childish dialog and directing.

Why is it that Tom Berenger, insists on doing movies that are terrible. When I was growing up I use to watch sniper 1,2,3, all of which are amazing but for some reason he does awful movies now, I mean it must be the money. Anyways its really sad to see him go down this path the good ole days are gone now we are forced to sit or lay down on the ground, while these people make up the history of the war to fit their own ego.

The movie may want to tell some war stories from the battle of the bulge, but the characters are more than stereotypical and the acting is horrible. The only redeeming factor are the end credits where there are around 10-12 written stories of several individual soldiers accomplishing acts of bravery, acts of valour and duty way beyond any call of duty. Only these small written stories actually make you feel something when you read them. I know the director tried to gather these stories into one movie and with the right director and right script it could have been a succes.