The story is told in a loop which takes you into the perspective of various soldiers in this battle.
You experience the "loop" in Chinese perspective and an American pilot's perspective. Then again Chinese perspective.
"Propaganda" would definitely be the WRONG word to describe this movie, because the movie is being told from the Chinese perspective.
(It's directed by a Chinese director, duh)
It, the movie, does accentuate the Chinese PLA mentality which can be a foreign concept for those unfamiliar with it.
But for those who heard stories from grandparents or senior relatives, it perfectly depicts those stories.
This movie let its viewers experience the difference between the quality of war equipment vs the quantity of military personnel with a high sense of patriotism.
Which led to an insane amount of casualties on the side with less military resources.
Again, if you watch this movie. Then you can not start with an anti China sentiment, because you know from the get go that it is directed by a Chinese director.
Instead, approach the movie neutrally to experience what the director tries to translate with this movie The spirit of the PLA who have fought an internal war (CCP vs KMT), an invasive war (Japan) and an international constitutional war (anti communism) in a time span of 16 years, 1937-1953.
With the movie taking time in the constitutional war.
As a Chinese myself, a sense of patriotism and pride surged through me after the ending.
As a 3rd generation immigrant, it showed me how far China has come.
Conclusion: for Chinese descendants a must see. For neutral viewers, it belongs to the category war drama.
For those who can't stand China or the CCP, just skip this movie.
8 stars.
You experience the "loop" in Chinese perspective and an American pilot's perspective. Then again Chinese perspective.
"Propaganda" would definitely be the WRONG word to describe this movie, because the movie is being told from the Chinese perspective.
(It's directed by a Chinese director, duh)
It, the movie, does accentuate the Chinese PLA mentality which can be a foreign concept for those unfamiliar with it.
But for those who heard stories from grandparents or senior relatives, it perfectly depicts those stories.
This movie let its viewers experience the difference between the quality of war equipment vs the quantity of military personnel with a high sense of patriotism.
Which led to an insane amount of casualties on the side with less military resources.
Again, if you watch this movie. Then you can not start with an anti China sentiment, because you know from the get go that it is directed by a Chinese director.
Instead, approach the movie neutrally to experience what the director tries to translate with this movie The spirit of the PLA who have fought an internal war (CCP vs KMT), an invasive war (Japan) and an international constitutional war (anti communism) in a time span of 16 years, 1937-1953.
With the movie taking time in the constitutional war.
As a Chinese myself, a sense of patriotism and pride surged through me after the ending.
As a 3rd generation immigrant, it showed me how far China has come.
Conclusion: for Chinese descendants a must see. For neutral viewers, it belongs to the category war drama.
For those who can't stand China or the CCP, just skip this movie.
8 stars.