MovieChat Forums > Taking Chance (2009) Discussion > Very deficient movie

Very deficient movie

posted 15 years ago by pepeds2002
25 replies | jump to latest

I thought this movie was gonna be interesting, but within the first half hour I was very disappointed. I kept watching it nevertheless, and I found it to be a very deficient movie in several aspects, there is very little interesting content, and feels strongly as propaganda. The only character that is developed at all is Lt.Col. Mike Strobl (but not very deeply either), all the rest of the characters are absolutely uni-dimensional. There are too many narrative deficiencies, and it really never caught my attention.

I understand that for the people that has family involved directly in this war, or that has a deep emotional attachment with the marines, it could have been a very touching subject (by far the demographic group that gives this movie the highest rankings are women older than 45). Nevertheless, by no standards does that make it a good movie.

As respectful as you might feel for the families of the marines killed in action, it's very difficult to ignore the obvious bias on the uni-dimensionality of all characters, and the blatant emotional manipulative intention of the ubiquitous slow-paced soundtrack.

I know many of you disagree with me, but I am trying to be objective here, and I hope if you respond, you do it in a similar fashion. In advance, please save your insults, they say nothing about me, but a lot about yourselves.

[–] Sproketer 15 years ago

It's about time a film was made like this that wasn't propaganda. It wasn't a pro-war or anti-war film. It wasn't a movie made to make a BIG STATEMENT. It was a film made to simply and respectfully show what Lt.Col. Mike Strobl saw and felt. It worked in a very simple and moving way. It didn't need character development other than Strobl's. It didn't need flashbacks showing Chance Phelps alive and what happened in Iraq.

It spoke volumes about many things, but didn't beat you over the head with it, but spoke it clearly and economically. As to the uni-dimensionality of the characters, the kid who drove Strobl said he didn't understand why our country was in Iraq, and told how guys he knew had died or were injured, and said he had to do something.

The soundtrack, since you mentioned it, was far from blatant, emotional, or manipulative. As a matter of fact, I barely recall its being there.

[–] jdubhua 15 years ago

The OP's original review of this movie is a text book example of someone who has completely misunderstood the movie and simply did not get the point at all. This is what happens when someone tries way too hard to force himself to sound really intellectual and objective, and then just ends up betraying a glaring lack of understanding about the subject in question. The whole things was sounding overly pretentious and pompous from the beginning, but when I read his bit about how the soundtrack was emotionally manipulative and ubiquitous and slow paced I just simply could no longer take it seriously. The soundtrack was barely even there for 90% of the movie so the only thing it could justifiably be called is overly sparse, not manipulative.

[–] imdb-20-fcasparx 13 years ago

You barely recall the soundtrack being there? In my book that shows what a well done piece of propaganda that film is.

And yes, it was neither a pro-, nor an anti-war film. But it was certainly pro-USMC, pro-heroism in the face of tragedy.

I am not surprised that this film had all the support of the US-military. This in a time were documentary pictures of dead US-soldiers were completely supressed.

I am all for a democratic society that respects it's fallen fighters - and the living. And shows that respect. But not in a sheepish way, as was so common after 9/11.

Iraq 2003 was and is a total disaster. Hussein had no WMD any more. Locally, Iraq was a power to reckon with, balancing Iran. Now Iraq's *beep* leadership is bonding with Iran, and vice versa, shifting the local power balance very much towards Iran. Iraq 2003 was probably the worst move that the Bush government did. Except cashflow-wise for Dick Cheney and his friends, of course.

[–] TanteWaileka 13 years ago

you don't know anything about what was or was not found in Iraq. I worked on the JACADS project and have family members very high up in the USA military.
Did it not occur to you that WMD's do not have to be nuclear weapons but can be chemical weapons? There were WMDs in Iraq, they are now in Northern Canada (storage)... it's been a while, so I think it is 'okay' to say that. It's probably public knowledge by now.

How do you think this was 'pro' USMC? It was not pro or con anything, but life 'as it is'.

Do you think it is 'respectful' to show pictures of dead soldiers? as was done during the Vietnam war? I think you do not understand much.

Life is a journey not a destination. Fear nothing.

[–] RobBase086-1 15 years ago

Well this movie was based on a true story about a Marine who gave his life for his country and his buddies as well. I loved the movie and there were points during the film where I teared up because it was very sad to watch.

I learned how a fellow brother comes home and how well he/or she is taken care of by those who serve along side us. I would love to own a copy of this movie for my collection to watch anytime.

USA UP ALL NIGHT petition! www.petitiononline.com/moviefan/petition.html

[–] peterz95 12 years ago

The movie takes place over a matter of days, hours even, obviously you've never buried anyone, not a lot of growth at the time. The story, if you'd stopped being deficient of a developed character yourself and looked into it, actually happen to the LTC/Bacon character. The story is about how those he encountered REACTED to the Marine in the casket. Those who agreed and supported your OP are just as lame mentally as you are.

[–] Moon_and_New_York_City 10 years ago

I wanted to love this movie, I thought for sure I would love this movie.

First off, its HBO Films for crying out loud and they rarely if ever put out a dud. Then there's all those EMMY nominations and the SAG Award for Kevin Bacon.

So I checked it out from the library and watched it tonight and all I can say is - what a major disappointment. I mean - where is the dramatic narrative? The character arc? The inciting incident? All those things we learn in screenwriting school required to make a good movie!

NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING, happens in this movie. The title says it all. Kevin Bacon takes Chance home to his family. The End.

I gave it a six stars out of respect for the Marines, but it was hollow and dry and emotionally stagnant.

I would never watch it again.

the best that you can do is fall in love

[–] jellyree 10 years ago

goodbye

Perhaps the OP just wants to reach out for some sense of community.

[–] lcplthomasc 8 years ago

So your beef with the film in purely an art standpoint is what exactly? I've done this before in real life, and every character with lines did EXACTLY what I experienced in real life.