Spoiler-free Movie Review - Hacksaw Ridge

Random spoiler-free movie review ("Hacksaw Ridge"):
Mel Gibson is back, folks! :)
 Some years back, Mel Gibson, through no one else's fault but his own, put his career in jeopardy after a druken, profanity-laced tirade against Jews in general, and the Jewish powers-that-be who controlled much of Hollywood. At that point in time many in Hollywood (already still pissed off that he helmed the allegedly "anti-Semitic" movie "The Passion of the Christ," privately told some journalists that he "would never work in Hollywood again." For years this proved true, however, with "Hacksaw Ridge," Gibson has once again proven that the Academy Award he won for Best Director (for "Braveheart") was no fluke, and that, as he can still deliver crowd-pleasing movies that earn money, he is here to stay. This movie is a rousing, emotional, inspiring movie that serves as a towering testament to the power of Christian faith and conviction, and it's a damned fine war movie as well.

This is film is based on the true-to-life, incredible story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector and pacifist, played superbly by Andrew Garfield (those of you from Virginia might have a slight objection to his less-than-authentic Virginia farm boy accent, but the rest of his performance, as a devout Christian is pretty spot-on. In fact, his example in this movie is so inspiring, I'd recommend this movie as essential viewing for all Christians around the world who need a model for how to truly live up to their religious convictions. Prayer, and the Bible, are so prominently in display here that I'd almost classify this as a faith-based movie.

But this ain't no simple biographical character study, folks, this is a war movie, and Gibson won't let you forget it. The battle scenes in the latter half of this movie (it's a bit slow and dragging in the beginning, but it gets progressively better) are so harrowing that they FAR exceed the carnage you'll see in the first few minutes of "Saving Private Ryan." Gibson apparently has no parallel when it comes to depicting violence on screen. I felt as if I was strapped onto a soldier's helmet and feeling the bullets zing by... It's honestly almost worth the price of admission just to see these scenes by themselves.

At its core, however, this movie is a love story. It is both a romantic drama (the pure, devoted love between Garfield's Desmond and Teresa Palmer's Dorothy is also inspiring), and a testimonial to the love one man can have for his God, and his convictions. In fact, if you see this movie, the next time you hear the words "principled man," you'll probably think of Desmond Doss. He is, quite simply, the single, greatest example of a true Christian soldier I've ever heard of over the past century or two.

I'm taking my Bible Study group to see this movie, if they'll allow me to... ;) I also encourage all of you Christians to see it. This could also be a good movie to screen during Holy Week, right beside Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."

This movie is clearly for adults or very mature teens only. The violence is just that graphic... If I were rating this using soldier's helmets, I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5, mainly for its incredible action and solid, faith-based positive message, deducting a little bit for its slightly dragging first half. I didn't regret watching this film, and neither will you. :) #WorthSeeing #ChristianModel