Dunkirk is brutally stunning look at WWII

Hannah Warfel, Reviews Editor

This year, the movie industry has shelled out quite a few amazing movies. From “Spider Man” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” to “Despicable Me 3” and “The Emoji” movie, there are so many movies to choose from. But has anyone considered going to see a war movie?

Honestly I never have enjoyed war movies. They are too graphic and I am not able to completely understand what is going on. Yet, I do believe that I have found the one exception to this rule: “Dunkirk.”

“Dunkirk” is a movie based off of the bombings on the Allied troops by the Axis powers during World War II. The Allied forces are trying to get off of the beach in Dunkirk, France and get across the English Channel, so they can be safe again. Throughout this journey, there are three points of view: the pilot trying to take down the Axis bombers, a group of men trying to make it off the beach, and a small civilian boat going over to help rescue some of the troops.

“One thing that I really loved about the film was that it was so immersive. The graphics were realistic and dazzling and the music was intense,”said Emma Moeller, 12. “The entire movie was a ticking time bomb and you were always on the edge of your seat. It’s like a two hour panic attack you’re thankful you had.”

The stories of these men trying to survive touched my heart. By the end of the movie, I was almost crying, which is quite a feat, because I do not cry during movies, ever. I was honestly concerned for all of the men throughout the entire film. I wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen and hug them all like a protective mother. They tried again and again to make it out alive, but they kept getting bombed down.

But do not worry, the movie does have a happy ending as 330,000 out of 400,000 people were saved from the Axis Powers.

Towards the end, two of the characters, Alex and Tommy, are on a train to go home. They believe they have failed everyone. They are surprised to find that their country and its people support them. It was such a heartwarming moment, that I walked out of the theater with the biggest smile on my face and my hand over my heart.

So, if anyone wants to see a touching, but sad war movie, I would have to say that “Dunkirk” is definitely the one for them.