While it has been rarely characterized so, the past decade has produced some of the best war films ever put to the big screen. Through the bettering of technology and evolution of the medium as a whole, directors have finally brought to life the roaring epics that only the horror of war and disaster could produce. Indeed, while there certainly have been misfires in recent months, with the clumsy but still moderately entertaining Midway taking the lead on that front, three films have risen to the top as the three best films of the 2010s. All from revered and equally acclaimed directors and visionaries, these films have inspired audiences with incredible notions of intimacy and sheer scale; they have topped the charts as some of the best films in their respective year, and they once again top this list.
3. 1917 (Universal Pictures) – Intimate
Sure to be one of the major contenders this awards season at the Academy Awards, 1917, despite not being actually released yet in either limited or a wide form, has already swept critics and industry pundits all over thanks to some spectacular cinematography and storytelling. I was fortunate enough to catch a film at an advanced media screening two weeks ago, and the experience still boils in my mind to this day. Director Sam Mendes (Skyfall) has crafted a war film that understands in full consciousness the terror of the fighters of World War I even when not a single bullet was being fired, much like another entry on this list. Lead performer George Mackay turns in stunning work as well as Dean Charles-Chapman in what is certainly a supporting role. And how could you not mention the chief gimmick of the film that actually works remarkably well? The one-shot framing from Roger Deakins immediately strikes as an achievement not just technically, but narrative-wise, it’s a wonderful tool for soaking audiences in the horrific world of 1917.
2. Hacksaw Ridge (Summit Entertainment) – Inspiring
Mel Gibson’s soaring work about a conscientious objector is not only moving but also intensely inspiring. As a firm Christian believer myself, Desmond Doss’ true story’s cinematic adaptation most certainly left a deep impression, thanks largely in part to Andrew Garfield as the ever heroic medic. Gibson’s direction works nearly just as well, seen best in gruesome set pieces of full R-rated World War II violence. Indeed, the juxtaposition between themes of pacifism and total violence is a combination that actually surprises in how poignant it is. Hacksaw Ridge is a masterful work from Mel Gibson and company, ranking as one of the director’s best films to date, if not the best. Personally, it might just be my favorite film on this list if it wasn’t for the number one entry’s exceptional filmmaking.
1. Dunkirk (Warner Bros. Pictures) – Magnificent
Yes, director and screenwriter Christopher Nolan’s riveting portrait of a critical World War II, Dunkirk, has topped this list as the best war film of the 2010s. While Nolan himself may disagree with the classifying of his work as a “war film,” it is by that very nature that Dunkirk works just so well. It takes monumental leaps, somehow not missing a single beat with the audience. The interwoven timelines from the sea, beach, and air merge and unfold in exciting ways, an element that is all too reminiscent of Nolan’s portfolio of filmmaking. In my opinion, it’s not just the best war film of the 2010s; it is also the best film of the decade in general, truly serving as a landmark testament in how sweeping cinema can be.
