Valkyrie - Discussion, Grading, Commentary ***SPOILERS***

[Captain Craig]

Profile of Tom Cruise and the real Claus Von Stauffenberg

My grade: B+

After everything I've read on this movie the last 2yrs I was expecting total rubbish. I wouldn't even say I had low expectations either. The movie really was well acted and directed. I think some of the editing was apparent but not in a manner that interferred with the narrative. I'm not going to do some break down of the whole film. I think you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

A sense of drama, urgency and hope is all conveyed in I feel very intense manner. Just as in Titanic you know the ultimate outcome a feeling of involvement is conveyed to the audience. A small portion of the audience applauded at the end.

I don't think this is deserving of the heat I've read on it, at least in this cut. It is for sure a return to greatness for Bryan Singer, IMO after that last movie he did. As for Tom Cruise I think this and his co-star role in Tropic Thunder should put him back in better graces with audiences.

 

[Nociod]

I really don't like Tom Cruise, but I might catch this movie when it comes out on DVD.. No way I'm going to the Cinema for this flick

But you gave it a B+ huh?, well we'll see if the good reviews keep on coming

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Doesn't it seem just a bit odd that Tom's not even speaking with a German *accent* here? I realize that the characters are all 'really' speaking German anyway, but it's still somewhat off-putting that Tom sounds just as American white-bread as always while playing a German.

 

[TGTheodore]

As usual, they start in German and evolve into English (both British and American. Yeah, I know.)

An interesting story. The biggest flaw: the casting of Tom Cruise. Except for Tropic Thunder, I don't believe I've really cared for Cruise much the last four or five years. He ruined the Mission: Impossible franchise for me.
As for Valkyrie, just make sure it's been a few days since you've seen an episode of Hogan's Heroes before you see it.

Some good drama, some incredible cars, but Cruise is just too lightweight for this one.

B-

--Ted

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

As usual, they start in German and evolve into English

They do?

Kind of like The Hunt For Red October when all the Russians are heard to speak Russian for the first few minutes, then in that one scene where Peter Firth's character is speaking, the camera zooms in on him when he says the word 'Armageddon' then for the rest of the film, then zooms back out again, and from then on it's all English?

If this film does something like that, it's not so bad.

 

[Tom Servo]

Yeah, I would honestly rather have Cruise talking normally, rather then him doing a bad German one for the whole movie.

 

[Aragorn]

Doesn't it seem just a bit odd that Tom's not even speaking with a German *accent* here? I realize that the characters are all 'really' speaking German anyway, but it's still somewhat off-putting that Tom sounds just as American white-bread as always while playing a German.

I never get this. Why isn't it off-putting that the Brits are speaking with British accents? Is a Scottish accent as good as Russian to you?

 

[Captain Craig]

As usual, they start in German and evolve into English

They do?

Kind of like The Hunt For Red October when all the Russians are heard to speak Russian for the first few minutes, then in that one scene where Peter Firth's character is speaking, the camera zooms in on him when he says the word 'Armageddon' then for the rest of the film, then zooms back out again, and from then on it's all English?

If this film does something like that, it's not so bad.

Its early in the movie. Cruise(Von S) is writing in his journal and you hear him reciting what he is writing and during this moment the transition is made.
I really don't think its an issue myself.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I never get this. Why isn't it off-putting that the Brits are speaking with British accents?

Because to Americans it's normal that the villains speak with British accents. WWII, Star Wars, animated critters, it's an across-the-board rule.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

Doesn't it seem just a bit odd that Tom's not even speaking with a German *accent* here? I realize that the characters are all 'really' speaking German anyway, but it's still somewhat off-putting that Tom sounds just as American white-bread as always while playing a German.

If that bugs you don't watch "Enemy at the Gates", the Russians all speak with English accents...including Ron Perlman! That's one thing, but at one point someone writes a letter, asking how to spell something...and someone tells him how to spell the word in English.

 

[nx1701g]

AP Review: Valkyrie

 

[RobertScorpio]

As usual, they start in German and evolve into English

They do?

Kind of like The Hunt For Red October when all the Russians are heard to speak Russian for the first few minutes, then in that one scene where Peter Firth's character is speaking, the camera zooms in on him when he says the word 'Armageddon' then for the rest of the film, then zooms back out again, and from then on it's all English?

If this film does something like that, it's not so bad.

I agree.. but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.. this is TOM CRUISE..and he is held to a higher standard..

I like this movie. Wasn't great, I'd give it a B. It held my interest far longer than Spirit, which I saw last night...Spirit, to me, is just another failed Frank Miller crapfest..good thing I don't have to pay when see a movie..

Rob

 

[Aragorn]

Speaking of Enemy at the Gates, top German supersoldier Ed Harris spoke with an American accent and that wasn't distracting... I guess because his name isn't Tom Cruise.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Doesn't it seem just a bit odd that Tom's not even speaking with a German *accent* here? I realize that the characters are all 'really' speaking German anyway, but it's still somewhat off-putting that Tom sounds just as American white-bread as always while playing a German.

I never get this. Why isn't it off-putting that the Brits are speaking with British accents?

I didn't say it wasn't.

Is a Scottish accent as good as Russian to you?

No.

 

[Captain Craig]

AP Review: Valkyrie

I think this reviewer must be a BBS'er. He has the same hang up on accents as quite a few here have mentioned.

With his hard, flat American accent, he stands out in every single scene. And he's not a good enough actor to immerse himself in this kind of period piece, or allow us to do the same. (Then again, if he had affected a German accent -- or a British one to blend in among his co-stars -- he would have invited derision for that, too. Maybe the guy just can't win.)

At least he's honest enough to say he likely wouldn't have gotten a pass either way. However, if your one that is going to be fixated on the accent then your focus is on the wrong thing to begin with.


Of the critiques this is the one I can agree with. However, its fair to note that the movie was edited down to make the pace faster. Its possible that character exposition and detail lie in those moments(not to unlike TIHulk).

But we never get a sense of inner conflict, of the doubt he may have felt in betraying his duties, of the fear he may have faced in putting himself and his family in danger by going through with the plan. When Stauffenberg states with clenched-jawed, hushed certitude, "We have to kill Hitler," we'll just have to take his word for it that he feels strongly about the task he's about to lead.

What I think is important to note though is your asked to take a leap that it is important regardless of the reveal of doubt or inner conflict. Its a movie that is more about the story than any one character. Its about what was attempted not about whom was attmpting it therefore needless dramatic moments of struggle are omitable.

I just think this writer wasn't able to get into the film and he was still more concerned with Cruise than he was the movie.

... but a scene that's supposed to be pivotal and poignant -- when Stauffenberg reluctantly thrusts his partially amputated arm in the air and declares "Heil Hitler!" -- instead comes off as laughable.

I can't say I found it funny. Not a person in my packed screening laughed, chuckled or for that matter jeered at any time. A dozen or so even clapped at the end.

 

[Captain Craig]

Opening Day. Who is going and what did you think?

 

[WeAreTheBorg]

Just saw it knowing the mixed reviews it was getting, and I found it surprisingly good. If not for the fact that we know Hitler was in fact not assassinated thereby giving away the ending, it would have been totally riveting suspense. Even knowing that, I managed to find myself wondering if they would succeed and hoping and being invested in the drama before reminding myself I knew the outcome. I thought it was very good, actually.

B+

 

[DarKush]

I thought this film was good also. Though we might not have saw a lot of Staffenburg's inner turmoil, his concern for his family was evident and brought up enough to give you a sense that he knew how much was really on the line if he failed. Plus, his desperate belief at the end that he killed the Fuhrer. He just couldn't accept the truth.

I also thought the cast was pretty strong over all. A solid film.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I saw it today - VERY STRONG MOVIE. Its a little slow in the beginning but once the assassination plot is put into motion its riveting to the end!

My theater was medium sized and completely full. Very surprised by that. I would not expect that for Christmas, even on its opening day, given the subject matter. I bet the theater owners were surprised too. It did not start on time to wait for the many latecomers. I had to sit next to this very large woman! LOL!

 

[Aragorn]

So would the reviews be much higher if Tom Cruise had spoken with a British accent? Or even lower?