This article was first published on WeChat public account: Play Movies
This article only represents personal thoughts
This article avoids all key plot spoilers
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After constantly releasing all kinds of early news, "Billy Lynn's Halftime Battle" was finally listed as an additional screening of the special screening unit of this New York Film Festival. Just when everyone was looking forward to grabbing tickets, the official opened a lottery system - only those who received the winning email can buy tickets for this exhibition. I thought that there was no hope for a long time, but I received this email the day before, and the mood at that time was really indescribable.
Except for the official premiere that did not face the audience in the afternoon, the 9 pm show became the first show of this film festival in front of the audience. In the absence of any previous media evaluation, all the audience in our scene knew nothing about the content of the film, so they were all very excited. Before the start of the film, director Ang Lee himself came to the scene and gave a short speech for everyone. It is awe-inspiring that a man who has achieved so much success in the film industry is still able to remain humble and kind.
Although the largest screen in the theater is still being renovated, all the screenings this time are held in a small theater. However, the configuration of the screening is completely up to standard. The 4K ultra-clear picture, the super 3D technology of RealD3D, and the biggest gimmick of the film, 120 frames, can be seen here. A friend asked me about the tickets. Let me say here that the public sale price of this film is 45 US dollars, and the students and members are 35 US dollars discounted tickets. Last year's top screening at the New York Film Festival, "Jobs," was $50 a ticket. So it's still good.
The most interesting thing about this film is its effect. RealD3D is literally all the 3D movies I've seen before the explosion. When the title appears on the screen, it doesn't feel like it's inside the screen, but completely between you and the screen. Bullets, explosions, fireworks, dust, all across the screen, flying towards you. A big tree, you can see clearly, the branches of different layers are layered on each other, which shocked me for a long time. So you will feel that the screen is no longer that small square screen, but completely envelops you, making you feel like you are in the scene.
The effect of 120 frames will become the most controversial point of the film. The movement of the picture is too smooth, but it makes people feel that they are not watching a movie, but being in the scene. In this way, whether this is a movie or not has become a point of contention. Similarly, the 4K ultra-clear, magnifying every detail, gives the audience an illusion that the reality and the movie cannot be distinguished. The layering effect brought by RealD3D makes you feel that the distant view and the close view are separated from each other, and are no longer on a single screen. The combination of all the above points makes this film stand on a brand-new commanding height in terms of visual effects, but it also brings innovation to the entire film industry.
In addition to the novel effects, the plot is also worth discussing. Note that there will not be a lot of spoilers in this article. You can read it with confidence. "Billy Lynn's Halftime Battle," based on the novel of the same name, was recommended to him by a colleague of director Ang Lee two years ago. The film revolves around Billy Lynn, an ordinary American soldier who returns home to receive awards for his service in Iraq. The film focuses on the day Billy and his comrades play at halftime of a football game, while interspersed with images of him on the battlefield in Iraq, contrasting the very different sides of the globe.
Director Ang Lee has made some adaptations of the original work, so I won't say much here. In fact, aside from the technical level, the plot of this film is relatively weak in Ang Lee's films. It may also have an inseparable relationship with the original. Even though this short intermission performance is just over twenty minutes long, the whole story is only one day. But on this day, he really understood love, friendship, family. In the cruel memories of the war and the bits and pieces of American society, he has a deeper understanding of his life.
Ang Lee used this midfield battle to witness the boy's growth, and to reflect the reflections and problems that the war brought to people. Unlike "Captain Sally", which was also popular this year, this film does not emphasize the word hero, but more about their ordinary side, their mortal side.
There is one scene in the film that impressed me. In Iraq, the commander would always say "I love you" to each of his subordinates before going on a mission. Most of them disapproved or dismissed it. But by the end of the film, Billy finally understands what the boss is doing. At this time, when he said "I love you" to all his comrades with tears in his eyes, everyone responded in the same way. The so-called growth, but that's it.
Joe Alwyn, who plays the male protagonist in the film, is a newcomer and has not appeared in any films before. Being able to star in Ang Lee's blockbuster in the first film makes me think he must have something extraordinary. As far as my personal feeling is concerned, I like this actor very much, and he also has a different kind of temperament (I just think he is handsome~~). And Kristen Stewart, who is no longer herself in this film - a cool girl, but really integrates into her character, is really eye-catching. Li Chun, the son of director Ang Lee, also participated in the film and performed very well.
This film is a challenge to the entire film industry. When I was writing this article, I heard a lot of bad reviews and bad reviews from the media. This is understandable, after all, Ang Lee is the first person in the field of common sense. With so many cutting-edge technologies intertwined, it is impossible without some controversy and discussion.
Regardless of the final media evaluation, such a humble filmmaker, with the most sincere heart, makes the movie he wants. At the same time, it can maintain a heart of exploration and try the most advanced technology. For those two points alone, I'll give Ang Lee and Billy Lynn's Midfield War a full five stars.
After all, watching a movie is a very personal thing. It's enough to impress you.
Written by CharlesFRen
on the night after the viewing
10/15/2016
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