“The Monuments Men” Review

The Film “The Monuments Men” is a costume drama that depicts the ruthless actions that had occurred during the Second World War by the Nazi party and their endeavors to make everything their own. The film follows a group of old-timers who are all experts in different forms of art and their attempt to recover stolen artworks that were taken from various European nations by the Nazi party in their attempt to create the world’s greatest art collection. As they travel across Europe to find the stolen art they encounter the hardships any solider must face on a battlefield such as victory and since of loss created by the conflict, for not all of the monuments men were able to return home. This can also be seen in costume drama known as “Barry Lyndon” which also depicts the hardships and wounds that are created through conflict and war, such as when Barry lost a close friend when he fought in the seven year war and fought for the British. Overall “The Monuments Men” is an outstanding film with an amazing cast which includes many powerhouse actors such George Clooney and Bill Murray, while also having an incredible shooting script and score. The script itself seemed to have some flaws along with its segmentation, but it allowed for the film to be followed easily through its fluid sequences and let the viewer to become immersed within the old soldiers adventure as they are put into an almost third person omniscient feel with the films shot-Reverse shots when the soldiers are in their two man groups and the shots of movement as they travel from town to town to help liberate and locate stolen artwork. However, you also can’t overlook the sound design of this film, for almost every piece of sound is clear and heightens the senses of immersion, while on the hand the soundtrack and the catchy jingle of the main theme of the movie makes film an even more remember able. While some people may argue that film wasn’t too great such as David Denby from the New Yorker with his review stating “We may have gained something in humor by not taking the saviors in the art-rescue story very seriously, but we've lost just about all of the romantic pleasures of heroism” but if you overlook some of the flaws that are found in the script you can see a very well thought out story that is still engaging till the very end which make this film great and a huge success. If only the story didn’t take one to film to cover it all then it could’ve had a potential sequel, but then again most war stories don’t tend to have a follow up. Nonetheless, if you haven’t seen the film it is definitely worth the time if you have nothing to do on a rainy day.