‘Midway’ brings historical figures to life

BY Ron Martel

We’ve come a long way since NBC’s “Victory at Sea” (1952-53) and so many PBS specials that tell the stories of war. World War II buffs will now be thrilled with this current salute to the battle of “Midway” 77 years ago, while others might find the convincing sensation of being in the middle of a horrific dogfight more disturbing than entertaining.

As a salute to servicemen on Veterans Day weekend, master of disaster Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day” 1996) presented possibly the most realistic aerial battles ever put on the silver screen. Imagine the exhilaration of riding Disney’s “Soaring over California” but at 250 mph through a hailstorm of blazing gunfire.

Emmerich is not content with typical CGI flights. We see the battle from multiple angles, altitudes and perspectives. We gain a true three-dimensional perception that places us in the midst of the action. This is worth the price of admission alone, but war is hell. So, this is fair warning that the horror show could give some a case of the “heebie jeebies.”

A masterful all-star cast brings a cadre of historic figures to life in this gripping action extravaganza. First-time writer Wes Tooke retells the first months of the war without contrived fictional romances or requisite strained family relationships. The story gives each character enough background to realize none of them were John Wayne, but just real Americans who happened to write an open check to our country with their lives.

The story mostly follows historical records, from Pearl Harbor to Doolittle’s Raid on Tokyo and culminating with the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Many believe the three-day event not only turned our sailors from zero to hero but turned the tide of the entire Pacific theater. The story is primarily told from the point of view of swaggering pilot Dick Best (Ed Skrein) and meticulous intelligence officer Edwin Layton (Patrick Wilson).

History buffs might enjoy watching such historical figures as Admiral Chester Nimitz (Woody Harrelson), Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey (Dennis Quaid), Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance (Jake Weber), Lt. Comm. Wade McClusky (Luke Evans), Lt. Comm. Jimmy Doolittle (Aaron Eckhart) and Aviation Machinist Mate Bruno Gaido (Nick Jonas).

The Japanese Imperial Navy is portrayed with respect and dignity featuring Rear Admiral Yamaguchi (Tadanobu Asano), Vice Admiral Nagumo (Jun Kunimura) and the Harvard-educated Admiral Yamamoto (Etsushi Toyokawa), who famously stated after their victory at Pearl Harbor, “All we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve” (Hollywood quote has not been actually verified).

We are introduced to high-ranking brass as well as everyday sailors whose demeanor ranges from frightened to hopeful to confident to cocky. They believe they are just doing their jobs, but were truly heroic in every description of the term. They were determined to win the day, (excuse the expression) come hell or high water.

The battles include fighter aircraft, bombers, aircraft carriers, destroyers, battleships and submarines. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the Americans were outgunned, outnumbered and out resourced. Morale was low, but with their instincts and bravery, as well as the intelligence of American code-breakers, the surprise attack by the U.S. at Midway proved to be a day of reckoning for the Imperial Navy.

“Midway” is 138 minutes and rated PG-13 for sequences of war violence and related images, language and smoking. This spectacle is big with explosions, destruction and the feeling of being in the heat of an actual battle. Coincidently, the wreckage of the Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi and Kaga were found just a few weeks ago.

It was once said that steering these heavy dive-bombers onto their targets was like trying to drop a marble on a neurotic mouse. Emmerich renders these scenes with meticulous visual effects and remarkable moviemaking. We never seem to learn the lessons of war, but can at least better appreciate how all gave some and some gave all for God and country once again.

Ron’s Rating: A
Leigh’s Rating: D