Not the film as originally written or made
Added 11/5/2009
I think that it is important to note that this film was moved halfway 'round the earth and the entire plot changed BECAUSE OF THE SO-CALLED "ACCIDENTAL" DEATH OF KEVIN TOD SMITH, who goes uncredited in THIS version. Originally, it was shot in China, and was Smith's first "big American film role." Apparently, Bruce Willis couldn't take the competition of a taller, more-skilled, more handsome, funnier, more physically-adept and built like a brick house "co-star." Although I doubt that, had Kev lived, he would've gotten THAT much credit from Mr. 5'7" New Jersey Boy. If they'd finished this war-mongering diatribe in China, and left Tod's scenes in, I might want to watch it. But as a Willis vehicle, it sounds like a load of crap.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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a disturbing look a Nigerian genocide . . .
Added 10/7/2009
Set in Nigeria, Tears of the Sun (2003) is a typical jungle rescue, combat epic, with plenty of explosions, and thousands of rounds expended. Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Replacement Killers) also wanted to shine a light on the very dark side of humanity, taking a look at the brutality of ethnic cleansing (genocide).
Bruce Willis (Die Hard) is Lieutenant A. K. Waters, the leader of a group of Navy SEALs sent into the jungle to extract Lena Fiore Kendricks (Monica Bellucci) a doctor practicing in a clinic there. Dr. Kendricks insists that her friends also be taken to safety. A large group head for the rendezvous point, where Kendricks is dragged aboard a helicopter, and forced to abandon her friends. Flying out, the mission is all but done, when Waters unexpectedly turns the chopper back. The chopper transports just a few of the refuges to safety, leaving the SEAL team, Kendricks, and the remaining refuges, to try and find a way out on foot. During their journey, they encounter the horrors of ethnic cleansing, as rebel forces systematically exterminate anyone the encounter.
As an African-American concerned about the future of Africa, revealing the horrors of ethnic cleansing, was Fuqua's goal. He presents the terror of murder, rape, and torture, where men are burned alive, and women have their breasts cut off. This part of the film is truly shocking, providing a glimpse into the kind of atrocities reported to have taken place in Nigeria.
While the massacres make a strong impression, the overall story has many elements that are not very credible. While having Doctor Kendricks along adds to the 'drama', clearly the logical thing to do was to have included her in the group sent to safety on the helicopter. Securing her life was the goal of the mission, and Waters fails big time when given the chance. Other plot elements involving secret intrigue among the refugees, and the wishy washy attitude of Navy command, add drama, but strain the limits of believability.
Up until the final battle, the action sequences are well done and mostly realistic. Fuqua had effectively shown the genocide, and the plight of the victims. Unfortunately, much of the credibility built up to this point, is blown away in the film's finale, that is pure Hollywood. Way over the top, and too talky. The fighter planes coming to the rescue, take forever to arrive. And the melodramatic finish, is terribly clichéd.
Antoine Fuqua covers many subjects in his fiery commentary track. The film was shot in Hawaii, because after 9/11, there was reluctance to film outside of the country. Fortunately the terrain, weather, and plant life there, was very similar to the area of Nigeria featured in the film. The evil brutality of genocide definitely has impact, but is somewhat overshadowed the overdramatic ending. If you don't mind a Rambo type finish, the film is worth seeing.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Just when I thought it could not get better
Added 10/3/2009
I have a bias because I had this movie in SD and since getting my ps3 I have systematically been converting my library from SD to HD. This is great movie not only from a cinematic standpoint but also from a story standpoint. In Blu-ray, the audio and video is amazing. The action sequences and the nuances of the cinematography are clearly apparent.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Tears of the Sun - Blu-Ray Review
Added 9/12/2009
I have the DVD and purchased this blu-ray because i really like this movie. The sound is better, but the image is not that great. The upconvertion DVD image is almost equal.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Outstanding war movie and one of Willis best.
Added 9/9/2009
This is a tearjerker of a movie, very sad but very good. The action is intense as well as the story line. I do not see much comparison between this movie and BlackHawk Down. They are two very different stories with only thing in common is that they are both set in Africa. If you are looking for a warfighter movie with courage, sacrifice and action then this is it. One can always nitpick any movie but I have seen this movie 5 times and see it for what it is, a great story.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Not the film as originally written or made
Added 11/5/2009
I think that it is important to note that this film was moved halfway 'round the earth and the entire plot changed BECAUSE OF THE SO-CALLED "ACCIDENTAL" DEATH OF KEVIN TOD SMITH, who goes uncredited in THIS version. Originally, it was shot in China, and was Smith's first "big American film role." Apparently, Bruce Willis couldn't take the competition of a taller, more-skilled, more handsome, funnier, more physically-adept and built like a brick house "co-star." Although I doubt that, had Kev lived, he would've gotten THAT much credit from Mr. 5'7" New Jersey Boy. If they'd finished this war-mongering diatribe in China, and left Tod's scenes in, I might want to watch it. But as a Willis vehicle, it sounds like a load of crap.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
a disturbing look a Nigerian genocide . . .
Added 10/7/2009
Set in Nigeria, Tears of the Sun (2003) is a typical jungle rescue, combat epic, with plenty of explosions, and thousands of rounds expended. Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Replacement Killers) also wanted to shine a light on the very dark side of humanity, taking a look at the brutality of ethnic cleansing (genocide).
Bruce Willis (Die Hard) is Lieutenant A. K. Waters, the leader of a group of Navy SEALs sent into the jungle to extract Lena Fiore Kendricks (Monica Bellucci) a doctor practicing in a clinic there. Dr. Kendricks insists that her friends also be taken to safety. A large group head for the rendezvous point, where Kendricks is dragged aboard a helicopter, and forced to abandon her friends. Flying out, the mission is all but done, when Waters unexpectedly turns the chopper back. The chopper transports just a few of the refuges to safety, leaving the SEAL team, Kendricks, and the remaining refuges, to try and find a way out on foot. During their journey, they encounter the horrors of ethnic cleansing, as rebel forces systematically exterminate anyone the encounter.
As an African-American concerned about the future of Africa, revealing the horrors of ethnic cleansing, was Fuqua's goal. He presents the terror of murder, rape, and torture, where men are burned alive, and women have their breasts cut off. This part of the film is truly shocking, providing a glimpse into the kind of atrocities reported to have taken place in Nigeria.
While the massacres make a strong impression, the overall story has many elements that are not very credible. While having Doctor Kendricks along adds to the 'drama', clearly the logical thing to do was to have included her in the group sent to safety on the helicopter. Securing her life was the goal of the mission, and Waters fails big time when given the chance. Other plot elements involving secret intrigue among the refugees, and the wishy washy attitude of Navy command, add drama, but strain the limits of believability.
Up until the final battle, the action sequences are well done and mostly realistic. Fuqua had effectively shown the genocide, and the plight of the victims. Unfortunately, much of the credibility built up to this point, is blown away in the film's finale, that is pure Hollywood. Way over the top, and too talky. The fighter planes coming to the rescue, take forever to arrive. And the melodramatic finish, is terribly clichéd.
Antoine Fuqua covers many subjects in his fiery commentary track. The film was shot in Hawaii, because after 9/11, there was reluctance to film outside of the country. Fortunately the terrain, weather, and plant life there, was very similar to the area of Nigeria featured in the film. The evil brutality of genocide definitely has impact, but is somewhat overshadowed the overdramatic ending. If you don't mind a Rambo type finish, the film is worth seeing.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Just when I thought it could not get better
Added 10/3/2009
I have a bias because I had this movie in SD and since getting my ps3 I have systematically been converting my library from SD to HD. This is great movie not only from a cinematic standpoint but also from a story standpoint. In Blu-ray, the audio and video is amazing. The action sequences and the nuances of the cinematography are clearly apparent.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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