Dunkirk Review - The Best War Film in 20 Years? Yeah Probably

With a cast that includes a shell-shocked Cillian Murphy, aerial aces Tom Hardy and Jack Lowden, casual seaman Mark Rylance (with his son Tom Glynn-Carney and helper Barry Koeghan), Colonel James D'Arcy, Kenneth Branagh as a naval commander, a surprisingly decent Harry Styles and Fionn Whitehead as the lead soldier, there's always the strong possibility of actors being under-utilised or even - if we dare say it -squandered. The most compelling characters in Christopher Nolan's war film about the Dunkirk evacuation are on board the SS Rylance, where Murphy, Rylance and the two young actors are given more breathing room for characterisation. Branagh has the least to do; his highlight is a meagre look of fear and acceptance in the face of danger.

In any case, the cast are all more than adequate and the characters well-sketched enough to sympathise with. The real focus is on the spectacle. And by Krishna there's a lot. Nolan puts his cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema to work in capturing the dynamic air battles, which - as you'd expect from the auteur - use a surplus of practical effects and genuine props for an authentic and completely immersive experience. It's all underpinned by Hans Zimmer's score, varying from simple but effective ticking in urgent moments to an utterly triumphant orchestral theme. In the last five minutes, it's the perfect accompaniment to (spoiler alert for those who don't know the Nazis didn't conquer Britain) the achievement of the courageous acts of heroism that kept the Allies in the war. Aptly, Nolan deserves praise for his achievement of recreating Dunkirk on land, sea and the air in a respectful manner; few filmmakers would undertake such a difficult shoot, let alone succeed.

As one soldier is about to be captured by Germans, the shallow focus makes them barely visible as he defiantly looks away. This exemplifies Dunkirk: brave men not concerned with fighting, but saving the fight for another day, and ultimately, doing so against all odds and beating the enemy. Hence the depowered Nazis. Take that Hitler.

Pretty much FIVE STARS. Inspiring stuff. And Harry Styles looks like less of a gonad with short hair.