Baseshment
I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
Freeman
This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Scott_MSM
Four Millennial buddies make money scavenging battlefields for medals and other collectibles. They start out superficial and materialistic. They end up maturing a decade or so in the course of a few days spent in the middle of the Patriotic War in 1942. Only flaw in this fine film, IMHO, is that the director does not show the group giving the cigarette case to the old woman whom they wronged at the start of the adventure. This is mainly an intense war film with some scifi trappings. The four friends rapidly learn that loyalty, patriotism and courage count for more than the latest game or nihilistic hanging out. Very good acting all around though the individual roles are from Central Casting: the ultranationalist, the nerd, the puer aeternus, the potential-to-be-a-leader, the brave female. SPOILER FOLLOWS The action proper begins when the group is approached by an old woman who asks them to find out what happened to her son who was MIA in 1942. The group laughs at her and shines her on-why, oh why, don't we teach our kids to never ever wrong and old woman whom they meet in the wild? Yep, she sends them back to 1942 on the eve of an offensive. Some temporal paradox here but the director crafts such a fine film that these are easily forgotten.
tlc_hatch
For me, a Navy brat and AF wife, I found this to be a powerful, moving, emotional film that literally sucks you in. It vividly portrays how much we owe everything we are and everything we have to those brave souls who fought and died in battles just like this, to maintain the freedom we now enjoy and take for granted. I can honestly say this had me from the synopsis! What a clever premise! My hat is off to the creator and writer. It is the perfect moral lesson for those desecrating the graves of fallen soldiers. To experience all the raw emotions that go with war and see in such gut-wrenching detail who these skeletons actually were during their days on earth, alive and breathing was such a revelation. They went from dusty skulls and bones lying in dirt to flesh and blood human beings with feelings, emotions, thoughts and ideas. The choice was theirs and they sacrificed themselves valiantly. The nurse, so beautiful, dedicated and daring, risking everything to crawl in the middle of the battlefield to check the fallen, to protect those she could save. Their leadership, trying to maintain an effective team of soldiers, discipline fairly, and encourage them on. And finally the soldiers themselves, with all their human frailties, the funny, the sweet, the sad, the scared & downright terrified, the loyal, the triumphant and all of them flawed but incredibly heroic. It made it personal. It broke my heart to watch the blindage scene. My favorite part was when Vladimir's character (I think they called him Skull?) tries to scrape off his swastika tattoo. You can see they are visibly shaken and will never be the same.
Great period piece, authentic right down to the Mosin-Nagants. Loved the music, very good battle scenes, (I freaked watching the tanks run over their trench!). I was on the edge of my seat which is rare for me! I highly recommend this movie. Not just because its message is so aptly delivered but it is truly entertaining. It was called "Back In Time" when I watched it today on Amazon Prime.
tauritraveler
Most of the reviewers missed the point. This is a movie about young Russians gaining a vivid appreciation of their history and their grandparents that fought for their nation's sovereignty.While the main character has an academic interest in the Great Patriotic War (WWII), the war and those that fought are only as valuable to them as the money their artifacts will earn. The elderly woman appears out of nowhere, representing Mother Russia, gives them milk, and leads them to the lake that sends them back in time. Mother Russia herself teaches them to appreciate the sacrifices of those that have gone before.Unity and Nationalism are strong themes as the 4 say more than once that they have to return to the lake together and bring Sokolov's cigarette case (the past) with them in order to move forward into the future. True to non-American movies, some good people have to die. I was just surprised it wasn't one of the 4 young men.I liked it and would recommend it to others.Background: I have watched many foreign movies and speak Spanish, English and Russian. I have been to other countries and come to understand that unless you become familiar with the histories and cultures of other nations, you will see their history incorrectly through your own cultural eyes.
jvaldeztoo
First off, I would most likely categorize this movie as more of a fantasy than a work of science fiction, and rightly so, because of its vehicle for time travel and setting. I watched this movie in the original Russian without sub-titles. I do not speak Russian, and I cannot say I am familiar with the country or its history. When I started to view it, I found the directing and cinematography to be interesting, so I continued, expecting to shut it off and go to bed. Instead, I was captivated by the story, and could tell from the acting and foreshadowing what the story was about, without understanding the language. In addition, I fully understood the concepts and experiences portrayed at the point of climax and the message the film intended. I enjoyed this film because of its elements, the love story intertwined with the wake up call to the younger generation known for forgetting the past, confounded with unexpected twists that led them on an adventure of inner growth and a closer examination of the meaning of life, nationality and sacrifice. I felt a greater interest in the Russian people after viewing this movie, and it left that kind of lump in my throat, wanting more, sad for their loss, and glad for what was gained. I did not expect such a melancholy feeling but I also felt after watching the movie that I needed it. I think this movie is a brilliant example of how a newer generation, regardless of culture, can romanticize the past even to the point of translating a gross, evil invader into something cool or popular without even realizing what it means. This is a great movie for young adults--thoughtful, yet entertaining, sending its message directly to your heart.
