Valkyrie Is Good, But Don't Expect Surprises

I caught the movie "Valkyrie" last night and it pretty much delivered what I expected.

Some are saying they don't like the film because it is predictable. The problem with those movie-goers is that they are looking at the film as a fictional thriller, something that can have twists and turns and leave you on the edge of your seat. In reality, Valkyrie is a historical reenactment of true events that took place at the end of WW II.
If you go into the movie with the mindset that it is a sort of historical re-play, then you shouldn't be disappointed. The acting is great and Tom Cruise, as usual, puts on an intriguing performance. (Please note: I said Tom's ACTING...not personal beliefs. haha)

But enough jib-jab. Let's talk language. Before the movie I was thinking the same thing you probably are; how annoying and inaccurate will it be to watch a movie in which Germans are speaking English? Well kudos to director Brian Singer who gave us a creative way to start the film in which Colonel Stauffenberg (played by Cruise) actually speaks German, which slowly dissolves into a translation of English. This gives us the feel that they are speaking their native tongues throughout the movie, and we, the audience, is simply hearing the translated version. Very neat and very well done in my book.

But enough jib-jab. If you are a big history buff, or simply fascinated with WW II and Nazi Germany, then you will like Valkyrie. If you are looking for something more, (you were more of a math or English nerd than a world history one) then don't waste your time.

Valkyrie really does leave you on the edge of your seat though, especially when they are literally feet away from Hitler in multiple scenes. Just don't expect a twist at the end. (there is a real historical one, but I won't give it away!)

And on a final note, this movie also gives you a different look at Nazi Germany in that you see in detail (and in my case for the first time) that there was actually a secret anti-Hitler Germany. It really opens your eyes to give you an alternative view at good ole' Deutsch land. The final scene was even the real location of where the events took place in 1944 Berlin. But you'll have to see the movie to find out which scene I'm talking about!

Valkyrie gets 3 stars out of 5.