Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Brilliant and touching

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

WHAT A GREAT MOVIE! WELL DONE...MUST SEE! GREAT SOUND...VISUALS....ACTING

I agree with other reviewers, this has to be one of the most BORING war films ever. At least 30mins into the film and no action. Just two guys lost and surviving in the jungle in WWII in Singapore. Great visual shots of the Singapore jungle and the sound effects of the jungle and atmosphere are incredible. This movie feels more like a National Geographic film than a movie in the first 15mins. The acting is flat, one dimensional with weak character development. You start out with no dialog and the plot is thin. That said I would overlook all that if there was an interesting action scene in the first 5 mins of the film. Only Rambo could save this film from boredom!Only watch this film if you are into the sounds and cinematography of exotic jungles of National Geographic documentaries. As one reviewer here said, turn up the volume, turn off the lights and enjoy the sounds of the jungle...and for that alone I would give this film almost 10 stars!

The main problem with this is the slow pace and the lack of emotional dynamics from the main actor.His facial expressions did not change much. Alternatively he might be talented but was just poorly directed here. My main problem: I could not even tell if he was clever or stupid - we are not given enough information about his personality. We need to know more, to know him, and empathize. I felt nothing much for him as a blank face is just not enough for me to invest my emotions into and then connect with a character. Had this character been a beautiful woman, then that might have helped as then I could at least have imagined loving her, and we can forgive those that we love more easily!There are lots of meditative contemplative long slow shots in the film, in themselves beautiful paintings. But what was missing was an effective intensity of any relevant human condition to contemplate during these times; perhaps the philosophy of the struggle that the characters are having.The first few minutes of the film were great, setting up the possibility of a great journey, which for me never gathered momentum.The Chinese actor does a better job and the sound track is solid in the film.

Before I watch a movie I look at the plot summary and read a few reviews. There are a some very negative reviews of this movie here on IMDb and I am left wondering why these people watched the movie? A few seemed to think there should be more fighting and sophisticated effects. Some seemed to think there should have been a stronger story line. This is not that kind of movie folks. This is the kind of movie that requires the viewer to engage and think about the human condition. If you want banging and smashing action or a fairy tale story don't bother watching this movie. If your attention span is just long enough to manage handfuls of popcorn don't watch this movie. If you want to be engaged in a thought process then you are in for a treat. I was reminded very much of the classic war movie "Hell in the Pacific" as I watched. Here the two characters are comrades rather than adversaries but there are similarities in the lack of a common language and the reliance on strong visual images. I don't want to give away the plot or ending but without spoiling anything I can say the penultimate scene makes a very strong statement about how we remember the victims of a war. In summary people should watch movies according to their tastes. If you want big budget Hollywood action and a story don't bother with this movie, and moreover don't half watch it without concentrating and write a lambasting review. If you want something more existential and thought provoking, I recommend this movie to you.