Tears of the Sun: Review By Rezahn

At its best, it's a little hard to sit through. At its worst, it's like every other picture about soldiers on a tough mission. What pushes it above mediocrity is that it ends better than it begins. Tears Of The Sun is just as remarkable as a drama then an intense action flick. It dramatizes exactly the kind of life-and-death choices we all dread having to make, but in a story where the choices are also quite obvious. What's noteworthy is that it is simultaneously a gripping action tale and a plea for a policy of engagement, of humanitarian intervention, in parts of the world where oil is not at stake. I'm ultimately recommending Tears of the Sun, because the film hits upon an issue people need to start exploring. The pull between Fuqua's socio-political style and Willis' Hollywood action style is evident, and the compromised film gives us an ideal to its great extent. Fuqua punches the familiar story across with fierce efficiency, therefore having it stand taller than the usual USA muscle pictures of today. For its insight into the military mindset, the goal of completing the mission, at all costs is manifested unequivocally and just when the viewer thinks "this is just another typical Bruce Willis character" - Willis quietly and slowly begins to transform himself into much more than a simple box office hero. There's also an undeniable atmosphere here, in the visuals but also in the incredible aural jungle of sound, designer George Simpson and crew executed the tribal soundtrack perfectly which inturn complimented the scenes more effectively . The casting was superb, with the characters being portrayed by each actor with convincing realism. At its best, the film is a nightmare embossed on a postcard -- horrific and ominously gorgeous. 10 outa 5 for Tears.

(Also take note that actual Military Tactics in assualt and defensive strike warfare were used to add a sence of authenticity, not many films do and that was one awesome aspect of the movie I appreciated and enjoyed significantly.)