VALKYRIE (2008)

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"SPOILER: Hitler Lives!"

My main problem with films of this nature is what also draws me to them. Whenever a film is made based off of true events, the ending is already known to you. The intriguing part is the "how." HOW are they going to have the story play out? HOW are they going to keep me interested whilst at the same time rushing headlong towards events that I know MUST happen?

So, going into "Valkyrie" I was hoping that the film makers-Bryan Singer in this case-were going to achieve this. Of course, as we all know, there were in fact MANY attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler, all of which failed. We all know that when, in 1945, Berlin was surrounded by Allied troops, Hitler committed suicide.

Why, then, should this film interest me in the slightest? Well, the setup, the grand scheme and the drama of the events should keep my enthralled, eyes glued to the screen in anticipation of each successive event.

Unfortunately, this did not happen. I felt no real connection to any of the characters, or even the events that were transpiring. Each time David Bamber (Adolf Hitler) was on screen the music got somber and I THINK I was supposed to feel this ominous dread. Even Bamber's movements seemed calculated, exaggerated, slow, as if he were moving through thick soup. This, apparently, was to make me feel terrified, or awestruck, I'm not sure which.

Tom Cruise's performance, which, normally I find convincing and rather good, seemed stilted, and a little awkward. I didn't see the fire in his eye(s) that normally accompanies one of his characters.

The supporting cast did about the same as Cruise. This is sad to me, because these are all very good actors, but I never really felt anything. At all. Nothing. I didn't feel tense, I didn't feel sad.

This film committed one the most grievous sins in all the world of art and creation.

It made me feel...NOTHING. At the very least I should have been angered, or a little distraught. And considering the nature of the story it's horrible that this film brought forth no emotions from me whatsoever.

If you feel the need to see it, I recommend putting it in your Netflix queue and seeing it in the comfort of your own home rather than enduring the dangers of the theater: the inconsiderate jerks, the high ticket prices and the highway robbery that is the cost of concession stand food.