Hulu World War II Blockbuster Portrays Greatest Battle Of The Pacific
For anyone that considers themselves a WWII history buff, then you’d know that The Battle of Midway is considered one of the key turning points in the war. And for such a significant and massive battle in the Pacific Theater, it would only make sense that it would make for a compelling and action-packed film. Not only does Midway deliver on the blockbuster fireworks, but it also packs a decent dramatic punch to go along with them.
From The Director Of Independence Day
In 2017, Midway was announced by Lionsgate, with filmmaker Roland Emmerich attached to direct the film. Equipped with a budget of $100 million, the film aimed to properly depict one of the greatest battles of the Pacific. Screenwriter Wes Tooke was then brought on board to pen the script, which used historical figures from the Battle of Midway as the basis of its characters.
The Battle Of Midway
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, America was thrown into a war that it desperately tried to stay out of. With over 2,000 military personnel killed in the attack, the U.S. almost had no choice but to throw its hat into the ring of the second World War. Just six months later, U.S. forces met the Japanese military head-on in a battle that proved to be a vital stepping stone to reaching the war’s finish line.
On June 3, 1942, Japanese aircraft carriers attacked the island of Midway, which was the home to a U.S. base. Over the course of the next four days, the two countries engage in heavy combat, resulting in severe losses for Japan, which was then forced to retreat. America’s ability to repel Japan’s attacks prevented the small island nation from continuing its rapid growth and eventually led to Japan’s loss in the war.
A-List Talent All Around
With a star-studded cast comprising of actors such as Patrick Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Mandy Moore, Nick Jonas, and Dennis Quaid, Midway pulls out all the stops. The film focuses a lot of its attention on Lieutenant Commander Edwin T. Layton, played by Wilson. Midway follows Layton from his suspicions of Japan’s power in 1937 to his predictions of where the country would strike next in 1942.
Wasn’t A Runaway Hit, But A Valid Entry To The Genre
Despite the high budget and impressive cast, the film pulled in just $127 million at the worldwide box office. Reactions to the WWII blockbuster were split, with a critic score of 42 percent on Rotten Tomatoes while receiving a 92 percent audience score. But among the war films currently available on Hulu, Midway certainly makes a strong case for being one of the best.
While Midway is not as good as war films such as Saving Private Ryan or The Thin Red Line, it does an admirable job holding its own. The movie’s 138 minute runtime never feels tedious, despite churning through a decent amount of story throughout the film. There’s never a moment where it feels like too much or too little.
Stream Midway On Hulu
GFR SCORE
Midway is not a film that is ever going to be added to anyone’s “best movies to watch before you die” list, but it’s a movie that keeps you engaged with a fairly compelling story. While the CGI sometimes leaves a lot to be desired in places, the special effects are far from the worst. For anyone that is interested in WWII, Midway is worth the watch.
