Windtalkers Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)June 19th, 2002
"Windtalkers" Has Very Little to Say
by Homer Yen
(c) 2002
During WWII, the Navajo language was used as the basis of a communications code that was so successful that it remained unbreakable and helped turn the tide of the Pacific conflict. "Windtalkers" would have you believe that it wants to bring to light the Navajo nation and this piece of little-known but important history. Sadly, they never get the credit they deserve in this film, which makes this angle seem more of a gimmick rather than its true focus.
It's never quite clear where this film wants to go. Director John Woo seems to be a bit torn, but noticeably leans toward the brutal war film genre. Much of the movie focuses on the overtaking of the island of Saipan, which was a key stepping stone in the Pacific theatre. As an action-film impresario, he showcases his ability to direct large-scale battle sequences. Cameras swoop in on soldiers on the battlefield, pan from side to side to show strategically placed machinery and weaponry, and cut to groups of men who fluidly load mortars and cannons to be fired. He is overly ambitious with some of these scenes, and the result is somewhat confusing as you struggle to discern friend from foe. However, a few sequences are quite dazzling such as an assault on a machine gun nest and a brilliantly risky plan involving disguising oneself as a Japanese soldier.
Herein lies one of the big questions of this film. The plan in which they disguise a soldier as Japanese requires one of the windtalkers to don the enemy uniform. If you know why windtalkers must be protected at all times, this becomes an improbable course of action. And, it cheapens the Navajo contribution as merely gung-ho soldiers.
Actually, most characters needed to be fleshed out more. Like all war movies, each troop is populated by various personalities. One is prejudiced; one is scared; one is recently married; etc… But we don't really get to know any of them in any great detail, so if they die on the battlefield, they are faceless casualties. The only character that is developed is that of Sgt. Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage). He barely survived his previous assignment while most of his comrades were killed. Eager to rejoin the war effort, he seethes with vengeance. This experience has diminished his humanity, and he is looking for ways to kill or be killed. Naturally, he is not thrilled to be assigned to windtalker Pvt. Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach). It's a babysitting job after all, although he is instructed to protect the code at all costs. Another unit leader, Sgt. "Ox" Henderson (Christian Slater), is given a similar task with his windtalker, Pvt. Charles Whitehorse (Roger Willie).
A tenuous bond begins to develop between the windtalkers and their charges. Ox and Charles engage in a flute and harmonica duet. Joe and Ben go on a first-name basis. That's all well and good, but the film misses the point. Tell us more about the Navajo characters. What makes them tick and what are their concerns? Unfortunately, the sounds of battle and the screams of dying soldiers drown their story out. For all that Woo does, the film amazingly lacks firepower.
Grade: C
S: 0 out of 3
L: 3 out of 3
V: 3 out of 3
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
