Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan’s new cinematic war thriller literally takes your breath away, as the masterclass director returns in an intense, powerful experience.

On the beaches of Dunkirk, the British soldiers wait to return to England, however ambushed by German attack,  they must fight for survival to get home. In a triptych storyline, we see the events on land for one soldier Tommy (Finn Whitehead), in the sea, arriving support their troops Mr Dawson (Mark Rylance), and in air in a British cockpit (Tom Hardy)

This is a grand event for my relationship with cinema, as Dunkirk had the privilege to be my first IMAX experience, for which the journey is so worth it. With Nolan’s 65mm format, Dunkirk is not a film, its an experience or better yet it is happening. In such a massive screen at the BFI IMAX, it becomes a powerfully immersive event that places you right in the middle of Dunkirk, surrounded by the booming sound of the guns bombs and ships. So many moments you will find yourself holding your breath, the 1hr 47 minutes running time is an fierce gripping venture.

The magnificence of Christopher Nolan always surprises me, as my favourite director, Dunkirk has been a very anticipated feature for me and so many others, and finally with its release Nolan has amazed us as always. Carrying the spectacle of Interstellar (2014) but down to the Belgium town, Nolan  proves again how really gripping, smart, and cinematic film can really be. I know that an IMAX experience asks a lot, with the journey to London and higher price, but when a film like this comes along it is very  worth your while.

Dunkirk is not just a cinematic presentation but also a remembrance to all the soldiers at Dunkirk, emitting a spectacular tone of British pride, Nolan demonstrates his passion and respect for the event, which through certain moments brings out a sensational joy to the heart. With a lack of a script, Nolan resembles silent cinema, and this is where the film is strong, with marvellous beautiful sequences of silence or just sound and no speech creates the real cinema of the film, for the audience to take in moment.

Hoyte van Hoytema’s clutching cinematography is fantastic, from the tense silence at the beach, to the sinking ships, and the rather wonderful landscape shots above, Hotema only drags us further into the film. With a classic Nolan-esc feel to way of the camera, we have a documentary feel to film adding that extra authenticity. Arguably the most mesmerising war film since Saving Private Ryan (1998).

The real technical talent is Hans Zimmer’s astonishing score. So many times Zimmer’s collaboration with Nolan has given birth to many brilliant tunes, and Dunkirk brings the best one yet. From the tension building sound of the ticking, to the unsettling but absorbing groans of the sea, and ships, Zimmer creates pure war poetry and indeed horror.

As for the ensemble cast, Nolan places all members exactly where they should be, especially Kenneth Branagh’s  pier commander is exactly perfect for the film. Tom Hardy showing off his eye talents with his plane mask on for the entirety of the film, (experience) gained clearly from his role as Bane no less. But a well done is deserved to Finn Whitehead in his debut role with the real perspective of the experience.

Christopher Nolan proves once again why he is the greatest director of all time, in an explosive cinematic experience. Inception (2010) and The Dark Knight (2008) will always be his masterpieces, but Dunkirk is another wonderful piece of work to add to the collection. I do strongly recommended an IMAX viewing if possible, or but just a cinema experience. 10/10