My 'We Are Marshall' Review
Ok, you have heard me pump this movie for almost a year now, and I'm sure most of you are more than a little tired of it by now.
Parts of the movie are very emotional. Some scenes suffer from pacing problems and some rather poor film techniques. For example, when Matthew McConaughey stands in front of the Memorial at Spring Hill Cemetery the background looks like a poor rendered video game. There are other scenes that use this effect that makes the movie look crappy in places. While other scenes show building that weren't built in during the period. I can forgive McG for those.
Ian McShane gives a standout performance. McConaughey isn't as bad as some reviews make him out, but he does give a rather crazy uncle feel to coach Jack Lengyel. It works for the most part. David Strathairn also does a wonderful performance as President Donald Dedmon.
Matthew Fox as Red Dawson is rather wooden. But Red Dawson can be rather wooden in real life. He has carried the burden of the crash and the job of rebuilding the team around he's whole life.
I teared up every time Christian Kanupke appeared as a young Keith Morehouse. He represents all the orphans. His character is one of the best parts of the film. It's also some of the saddest.
I had problems with the Chris Griffen composite character. I could not mourn for him, because he never existed.
I tried to watch this feel from the point of view of someone who does not have emotional ties to the movie, and it just wasn't a good.
If you from West Virginia or ever went to Marshall, see this film. If you have no ties to Marshall or West Virginia, there might not be much their for you. If you want to know the real story behind the movie rent or buy the DVD of Ashes to Glory.
Parts of the movie are very emotional. Some scenes suffer from pacing problems and some rather poor film techniques. For example, when Matthew McConaughey stands in front of the Memorial at Spring Hill Cemetery the background looks like a poor rendered video game. There are other scenes that use this effect that makes the movie look crappy in places. While other scenes show building that weren't built in during the period. I can forgive McG for those.
Ian McShane gives a standout performance. McConaughey isn't as bad as some reviews make him out, but he does give a rather crazy uncle feel to coach Jack Lengyel. It works for the most part. David Strathairn also does a wonderful performance as President Donald Dedmon.
Matthew Fox as Red Dawson is rather wooden. But Red Dawson can be rather wooden in real life. He has carried the burden of the crash and the job of rebuilding the team around he's whole life.
I teared up every time Christian Kanupke appeared as a young Keith Morehouse. He represents all the orphans. His character is one of the best parts of the film. It's also some of the saddest.
I had problems with the Chris Griffen composite character. I could not mourn for him, because he never existed.
I tried to watch this feel from the point of view of someone who does not have emotional ties to the movie, and it just wasn't a good.
If you from West Virginia or ever went to Marshall, see this film. If you have no ties to Marshall or West Virginia, there might not be much their for you. If you want to know the real story behind the movie rent or buy the DVD of Ashes to Glory.
Technorati Tags:
West Virginia, Huntington, WV, We Are...Marshall, Marshall University, Marshall Football
posted by oncee at 12:48 AM
1 Comments:
Thanks for the review! I will see it when i'm sure it's not crowded with the Big Green society. I was thinking that Keith's childhood trauma would be the hardest to witness- there's still a real sadness in his face. And at the heart i hope for peace with those directly affected.
good call on Red's woodenness- i hope audiences understand that.
I'm a little happy to stop hearing about it finally, though. But David Strathairn can come back anytime and stay in Pea Ridge ;)
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