Razorbitz reviewed
28 november 2025•
One of many WWII biopics that does exactly what it sets out to do. This one has the interesting esteem of being one of Angelina Jolie's few directed films with a serviceable script by the Coen brothers no less. One thing I appreciate about Jolie as a director is that she tends to lack the pretension I always go in expecting. I only wish she didn't lean so heavily into wholly unnecessary CG. All in, it's pretty good, and tells a true story with an embossed hollywood finish--maybe a bit overzealous at times but its heart is in the right place, I think.
For my part, I enjoyed the little things the most in this one, especially in the beginning chase sequence following the protagonist as a young boy with the care put in to capture the Olympic journey--by far the best part of the film for me.
Despite the film's length it never outstays its welcome, and explores some of the lesser known experiences of the POW life as the film deftly jumps from one tragedy after the next Zamperini finds himself trapped in.
While emotionally the experience can feel flat at times, I appreciate the immense amount of effort made to make every scene as period accurate as possible. I particularly enjoyed the POW radio show and the bizarre experience that must have been for Zamparini in how his suffering became commercialized.
The torture he endures and the hot blooded american spirit that pushes him through often feels like the beginnings of a tall tale, but despite my own misgivings I found myself caught up in the final moments.
Unbroken is often overproduced and unrealistically glossy for the subject matter, but there is earnest intent in the story being told here. Its a fine film.
Watch it, maybe!
Razorbitz reviewed
28 november 2025•
One of many WWII biopics that does exactly what it sets out to do. This one has the interesting esteem of being one of Angelina Jolie's few directed films with a serviceable script by the Coen brothers no less. One thing I appreciate about Jolie as a director is that she tends to lack the pretension I always go in expecting. I only wish she didn't lean so heavily into wholly unnecessary CG. All in, it's pretty good, and tells a true story with an embossed hollywood finish--maybe a bit overzealous at times but its heart is in the right place, I think.
For my part, I enjoyed the little things the most in this one, especially in the beginning chase sequence following the protagonist as a young boy with the care put in to capture the Olympic journey--by far the best part of the film for me.
Despite the film's length it never outstays its welcome, and explores some of the lesser known experiences of the POW life as the film deftly jumps from one tragedy after the next Zamperini finds himself trapped in.
While emotionally the experience can feel flat at times, I appreciate the immense amount of effort made to make every scene as period accurate as possible. I particularly enjoyed the POW radio show and the bizarre experience that must have been for Zamparini in how his suffering became commercialized.
The torture he endures and the hot blooded american spirit that pushes him through often feels like the beginnings of a tall tale, but despite my own misgivings I found myself caught up in the final moments.
Unbroken is often overproduced and unrealistically glossy for the subject matter, but there is earnest intent in the story being told here. Its a fine film.
Watch it, maybe!
