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Created Jun 29, 2009 05:49PM PST • Edited Jun 29, 2009 05:49PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Valkyrie falls in a sub-genre of war movie that focuses on the politics and resistance of WW II rather than straight on action and fighting. Quite the compelling story of a July 1944 plot by von Stauffenberg and other military elite to get rid of Hitler and stage a full on coup. I thought the action was good, but too infrequent and the same for simply stressful situations — not enough stress. I definitely lean towards more “mindless” movies, and found that this movie — while not overly complex — forced me to pay too much attention to dialog for my tastes — which are that war movies should be more straight forward. Nevertheless, Valkyrie had some great moments and I was happy I stuck it through to the end.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   I agree with Wick that the American Cruise and his British compatriouts were not quite as believable as they might have been — but I’m not sure substitution with Germans would have done the trick. Rather, more focus on pride for the fatherland and those other Germanic leanings for proper order and progression over crazy fervor would have been better. I’m going to give the acting a “Good” rating, because I think the acting was fairly well done, and the issues are more with the writing.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Barely OK 2.0

    Loved the German settings, including the Wolf’s lair. The action shots were well done — when they were done. Dialog a little too hushed and subtle for my taste.

11. Direction Barely OK 2.0

12. Play Barely OK 2.0

13. Music Barely OK 2.0

14. Visuals Barely OK 2.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.7

17. Sex Titillating 1.7

18. Violence Fierce 1.7

19. Rudeness Salty 1.7

21. Reality

    Glib 1.4

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.4

23. Biological Glib 1.4

24. Physical Glib 1.4