Midway

Why did Emmerich want to remake this battle, 77 years after the fact, if he did not have enough money?... We didn't need a new one, unless he had something new to say or a new way to say it. To both questions, the answer is no.

...there's still a sizeable audience ready to experience, from the comfort of a cinema seat, a skilfully made approximation of what the Allies had to face in the horror that was World War II.

Midway asks very little of its audience aside from mindless military worship and purposeless nostalgia.

The digitized combat looks like something traced and transplanted from another war, one that took place in a galaxy far, far away.

There wasn't any tension or suspense, and by the time things came to an end I was almost thankful the movie was over.

He's Mr. Bombastic, but he's not very fantastic...

Despite so many characters - including a wealth of Japanese officers - there's no emotional connection to any of the cookie-cutter personas.

It's the reverence and respect that's paid to these warriors that is a surprise, marking a new sense of maturity to Emmerich's work.

It is a real shame that Midway does not succeed as it certainly promises a lot with its talented cast and its well-worn story. Instead, the film just crashes and burns; failing to meet its lofty goals halfway.

It might make a worthy Veterans Day watch if you bring your veteran grandparent or war-buff parent. You'll remember the experience with your loved ones more than the actual movie.