Saving Private Ryan

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) - Minnesota Ryan (Private James Fredrick Ryan)

Pvt. James Fredrick Ryan: [starts sobbing] Oh, my God, my brothers are dead. I was gonna take 'em fishing when we got home. How - How did they die?

Captain Miller: They were killed in action.

Pvt. James Fredrick Ryan: No, that can't be. They're both - That ... That can't be. My brothers are still in grammer school.

Content (4.5): Following the D-Day invasion, a squad of American soldiers are assigned the mission to find Private James Ryan whose three brothers have been killed in combat.
Production (4.5): Brutally realistic and historical, Saving Private Ryan is worthy of the 5 Academy Awards it won in 1998 (Best Director, Cinematography, Film Editing, Sound and Sound Effects Editing).
Acting (5): As Minnesota Ryan, NF is limited to only one scene which is nonetheless pivotal to the entire film. You can see the heartbreak in his eyes and hear it in his voice when he thinks his grammer school brothers have been killed. Entire squad is well cast and portray each soldier with the respect their real-life counterparts deserve. Additional thumbs up to Ed Burns for the resentment he conveys towards Ryan and the mission.
Hair (3.5): Better than Dracula 2000, not as good as Serenity. Standard military-issued haircut but the Captain wears it well.
Bonus (1): No use of the rifle he's holding or even taking part in combat but gotta give him a bonus point for the cute little trip over the rock without falling flat on his face!

Total: 19.5

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