I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

This production started with a good concept: a group of young contemporary men who dig up World War II memorabilia for its cash and souvenir value -- one of whom is a skinhead with a swastika tattoo - - are magically transported back in time to the war itself. While the realization looks very good and I don't have any problems with the script itself, its a long time between sections of dialogue, and it ends up seeming as if the characters and situations have never been fully developed -- which is a shame given such a potentially interesting situation. The period battles are very impressively recreated, but I couldn't help getting the feeling that the producers were so caught up with this aspect of the productions that some of the things that make a really satisfying movie were left out. The love story that there is seems sketched -- the girl resists and then is suddenly completely in love with the hero. In the end, the protagonists feel the terror of battle over glorious-sounding music and return home humbled. Even this feels like it happened so quickly after they were so recently just trying to get themselves out of there, and it seems like sentimentalization of the "Great Patriotic War" as it is known in Russia. In a film that is almost two hours long there is really no need for events to seem as rushed as they do, due to set pieces being given precedence at the expense of characters and scenes. Though it's certainly not a complete failure, given the premise it seems like a missed opportunity.

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.

This movie is not about time travel. It is about the present and the past. There is no present without the past. If you forget, destroy your past in your heart - you and your nation have no future. Cherep (Skull) is a modern radical nationalist in the modern Russia. The other three guys represent other parts of Russian society: student, that gave up on studies for some quick buck, rapper-anti-fa and fourth one - "golden boy". Lost generation, but with a hope.Their world is going to turn upside down. They all get into the past, to the middle of WWII, where they grandfathers fight with Hitler's Germany. Lessons are to be learned for a present and for the future to be saved.Imagine someone who gives his life for the his motherland to be told: "In the XXI century, men, dressed in black, will walk on the streets of Moscow and shout "Heil Hitler." If you don't get it, switch "Moscow" to "New York" or the city you live in, and you will understand.

I had some expectations about this movie because found it quite interesting to see about modern guys happened to appear in actions of the World War II. But I found that movie is not all about that. And I wasn't disappointed. The movie is truly very original, it contains humor, sadness, love and war altogether and some important messages. Yes, special effects there are not great, but they shouldn't be, because this film isn't about that, this is about the tragedy that war is. This is about not forgetting what the war is, never forgetting. And this message is staying in your head for a long time after the end of the film. Also I think actors did their job quite well(specifically a nurse girl, I was so charmed of her), especially taking into account that for most of them it was the first relatively big movie(for Russia of course)