What a waste of time. At no point did the movie manage to make me feel anything for the characters and what a terrible and totally disappointing ending, which I of course can't describe in any detail here without spoiling the story. Both my wife and I were very disappointed with this movie.
98 Reviews
"A" for effort, "E" for success!
robertdill29 October 2019
I so wanted to give this Midway a positive review but unfortunately, it sucked! The battle was Ill defined and unsatisfying throughout. The personal stories were plagued by poor dialogue and unending in their and my torture. The movie suffered for trying to focus on both storylines without doing justice to either. I am heartedly disappointed.
It is 2019 and I fell for a mockbuster, I'm just stupid
gri6669 November 2019
Are you reading this because you wanted to see Midway? Well this is another movie, and I just wasted an hour on it and even the beer didn't make it any better.
It's just horrible: bad CGI, bad acting, I didn't learn anything about the battle of Midway. I wish I could just see a 15 minute documentary about the battle and the 2 guys stranded at sea and whatever happened to them.
Other reviews say the depiction of the ships and planes was historically accurate, so I'll give it +3 stars for the CGI and battle scenes, +2 for the story, -3 for making me accidentally see it instead of Midway, and +1 star for helping me forget my problems and feel very sorry for everyone involved in this fiasco.
Horrible movie with bad acting
morganpowys24 October 2019
Bad CGI for the most part. Boring 95% of the time. Horrible acting by everyone involved. Plus, obvious shills in the reviews are laughable.
BTW, altlamp, this isn't about your father if he lived and he sure as hell didn't lead the squadron. Ramsay was an ensign. Ensigns don't lead a latrine party much less a dive bombing squadron. Richard Best led VB-6 at Midway. You dishonor him with your lies.
BTW, altlamp, this isn't about your father if he lived and he sure as hell didn't lead the squadron. Ramsay was an ensign. Ensigns don't lead a latrine party much less a dive bombing squadron. Richard Best led VB-6 at Midway. You dishonor him with your lies.
Bad on many levels
tjsbmurphy2 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
1. Dialogue: makes the worst 1950's WW2 movie sound like a work of Shakespeare
2. Action: Bad effects, but the action takes all of two minutes and is probably the best part of the movie
3. Plot: Utterly incomprehensible-the "twist" at the end turned a mediocre survival plot into a confusing attempt at an esoteric understanding of death...or life...or something?
4. Acting: I've seen better and less wooden performances from junior high drama clubs
Two stars for two minutes of passable action sequences. Otherwise its a waste of time
Two stars for two minutes of passable action sequences. Otherwise its a waste of time
100% Garbage
jobesd29 December 2019
Insulting.
jameszcarey19 January 2020
The writing was so bad that I literally cringed every time an actor would open their mouth. How could anyone write something so bad. It was like the script was written by a ten year old child. It was also an insult to those brave men who fought gave their lives in Battle of the Midway.
Your computer have better graphics
szasz-csaba2 November 2019
The plot really did not focus on the actual battle as the title would suggest.
Many scenes were over exposed, which may have been done for effect. It appears to be a low budget film given the obvious CGI shots and the writing.
When your current home gaming console can deliver better graphics, it's a little hard to get and stay on board with this, even when everything around is pretty good.
It will surely have some fans - and desevedly so - but most may not get what they are hoping for.
I fell asleep watching this
jordienzsth18 September 2019
You got to be kidding me.
fly_fisher9 January 2020
This is quite possibly the worse movie ever. To rate this movie with any score above a 3 is an attempt to lie to the people who haven't seen it yet. Poor story line. Poor acting. Poor CGI . Unrealistic presentation. I rate it a 1 and those who say it's ok for a low budget movie should not rate it any score above a 3 for the reasons above.
-10 stars would be more appropriate for this trash
americanarmsdealer11 January 2020
Don't waste your time on this one. Made it 11 minutes in (somehow), and the terrible acting, bad CG that looked like it had been done by a 9 year old, and nondescript plot became too much. At least I didn't pay movie theater prices to NOT see this one!
Perfect example of someone slapping together 86 minutes of garbage in an attempt to grift some money off of a blockbuster.
Perfect example of someone slapping together 86 minutes of garbage in an attempt to grift some money off of a blockbuster.
way better than what i was expecting
rachelialkobey7 September 2019
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this! But wow... I was surprised!
While watching, I was engulfed in the story. Truly taken aback. I felt like I was right there with the pilots. I could even taste the salt water and feel the sunburn as I watched. The story and imagery really worked for me.
I even loved the chemistry between the rescue crew. I felt like I was hanging out with them and wanted them to succeed so badly!!
It is obvious that it is a low budget film, but that didn't take away from the story that was told.
And don't get me started on that ending!!
They went for it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm interested to see what this director could do with more money.
While watching, I was engulfed in the story. Truly taken aback. I felt like I was right there with the pilots. I could even taste the salt water and feel the sunburn as I watched. The story and imagery really worked for me.
I even loved the chemistry between the rescue crew. I felt like I was hanging out with them and wanted them to succeed so badly!!
It is obvious that it is a low budget film, but that didn't take away from the story that was told.
And don't get me started on that ending!!
They went for it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm interested to see what this director could do with more money.
This is my father's story
altlamp-3058410 September 2019
This movie is special to me and my brother: it's the story of my father's adventures at the Battle of Midway. He (Thomas Ramsay; they used his real name) led his squadron (VB-6) from USS Enterprise in the attack that so severely damaged HIJMS Kaga that she was scuttled by the Japanese the next day. (He missed with his bomb, a fact that my mother said vexed him for the rest of his short life.) He was then shot down and spent 8 days in the open water with his gunner until being rescued by a PBY piloted by a school classmate from his home town. Mike Phillips has wanted to make a film about this ever since he heard the story some 15 years ago and finally got the money to put it on screen. It is too bad that he never got the major studio backing that the project needed to make it work as well as it should. Still, it will be a tribute to my dad and I'll get a copy or, I hope, see it on screen asap. Now, if someone would be interested in the rest of the story, there are those absolutely hair-raising adventures my father had at Guadalcanal ...
This movie needs to be searched and rescued
mitchfine-381479 September 2019
This movie needs to be searched and rescued. Unfortunately even if found, it would be DOA. It's hard to imagine how you could make a film this bad about the battle of Midway, but the writers and director pulled it off. At least Lee got out early. Now that's a silver lining.
Yawn
abarbeau-7642416 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
For a MAJOR turn of event for the allies winning the Pacific this movie does NO justice showing what our men & woman sacrificed. It focused and portrayed the 2nd in command as a man that constantly resisted the Admirals orders which I find highly unlikely.
Unfortunately this movie is a bomb bigger than the ones they dropped on the Japanese carriers.
As terrible as it gets...
pudasbeast8 December 2019
I rented this movie in faith it was the other midway movie from this year (the one named simply "midway") but boy was I wrong!
The cinematography and lighting was horrendous making this feel super cheap from the beginning. Acting and directing skills are also non existant.
You get no backstory whatsoever to why the pilots are doing in the sky or whatever, the viewer is totally clueless the entire time.
Pilots who are supposed to be fighting for their lives are acting like they are in disneyland, screaming "woohoo" with joy at take-off and joking lamely mid combat.
One of the worst movies I've ever seen, please go watch the good Midway movie instead.
The cinematography and lighting was horrendous making this feel super cheap from the beginning. Acting and directing skills are also non existant.
You get no backstory whatsoever to why the pilots are doing in the sky or whatever, the viewer is totally clueless the entire time.
Pilots who are supposed to be fighting for their lives are acting like they are in disneyland, screaming "woohoo" with joy at take-off and joking lamely mid combat.
One of the worst movies I've ever seen, please go watch the good Midway movie instead.
The worst movie I have seen
steve-140-49129610 September 2019
The trailers to this film were very good, but the actual movie is just plain terrible. No real plot to speak of, very few battle scenes, some of the worst acting I have seen.
The CGI was reasonable, and the ships and planes generally well modelled.
It took me three times to get through it, and even then I skipped some of the many boring dialogue bits.
Sorry, but this film needs to be junked or remade
It took me three times to get through it, and even then I skipped some of the many boring dialogue bits.
Sorry, but this film needs to be junked or remade
Really bad
P-Huisman21 November 2019
One of the first scenes I watched was one of the fighter scenes. The complete lack of accuracy - lack of wind for example - was astounding. The explosions on the carrier were not the level of CGI I expect from a movie. After half the movie, the guys in the water took up about 70% of the movie time.
Really..... If you take a serious story, take making the movie equally serious like the original "Midway (2019)" version. This is just a very cheap way of profiting from it's succes. And as far as I'm concerned: it failed miserably.
Really..... If you take a serious story, take making the movie equally serious like the original "Midway (2019)" version. This is just a very cheap way of profiting from it's succes. And as far as I'm concerned: it failed miserably.
Not what you think this will be about.
optims_blade1 November 2019
Looking at the box cover you'll imediately come to the conclusion this is asylums take on "Midway" the the story of the battle of midway in the pacific during WW2. thinking they took their low budget studio and told their version of the story to capitalize on the "midway movie thats due to be in the theaters soon.
insted this is is about a SBD Dauntless crew that is shot down after their successful attack on the japanese warship the akagi and their fight to stay alive in the ocean over the course of several days. we are shown command orders and mission briefings from the u.s. attack group on the enterprise but thats about it. there is no major dog fighting between hellcats and the chiefs vs. zeros. your gonna have to wait to the film "midway" comes out for that or go watch the original from 1970
for the film itself its a period drama. straight up!! no frills! if you looking for an action war flick about midway.. THIS IS NOT IT!! the film making is on a very low budget and it shows. its obvious the actors are on a set someplace doing the best they can with what they got.
insted this is is about a SBD Dauntless crew that is shot down after their successful attack on the japanese warship the akagi and their fight to stay alive in the ocean over the course of several days. we are shown command orders and mission briefings from the u.s. attack group on the enterprise but thats about it. there is no major dog fighting between hellcats and the chiefs vs. zeros. your gonna have to wait to the film "midway" comes out for that or go watch the original from 1970
for the film itself its a period drama. straight up!! no frills! if you looking for an action war flick about midway.. THIS IS NOT IT!! the film making is on a very low budget and it shows. its obvious the actors are on a set someplace doing the best they can with what they got.
too much water
edippie9 September 2019
Sorry but this move is one of the most boring film I have seen in a long time
I read the reviews which was a mixed bag so I gave it a go. It was so slow and a embarrassment towards the lads who lived through the actual event.
not for me I'm afraid.......
DAUNTLESS AND DON,T WATCH
vanmust15 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The exceptional drama of "Open water" does not happen here..what with the cheap CGI what with the poor performances..the movie fails in all aspects...it is clear that there is an effort to capitalise on the blockbuster "Midway " whitch itself has many flaws....stick to the old classical film....the scene where the PBY Catalina evades not one but two of WWII most agile fighters is hilarious
Dauntless wins the day.
bill-79025 August 2020
I seldom, if ever, use the word "dumbfounded". Nevertheless, that's the way I felt when I read the unbelievably negative reviews that dominate the viewer reactions to this movie.
I could understand that some people may have quibbles with "Dauntless," but the long run of 1 and 2 star ratings is simply incomprehensible. I'll bet that a few of those who rate this movie so low would give a higher rating to "Plan 9 From Outer Space."
I should mention that I have a personal reason for my interest in this movie. You see, my father actually helped build these planes at Douglas Aircraft. I am, therefore, very familiar with the plane and its place in history. And, of course, with the battle of Midway.
"Dauntless: The Battle of Midway" is not flawless. I won't discuss its shortcomings here. Rather, I would like to mention what, in my view, is right with the movie. The actual battle, I feel, is treated pretty well. The acting is fine, and I have no complaints regarding the visual effects.
The main strength of the film is its portrayal of the challenges faced and the sacrifices made the pilots who, let's not minimize this, basically won the War in the Pacific in a few short hours. It's easy for us, many decades after the battle, to ignore what it must have been like to have one's plane go down in flames, with little chance of rescue even if one had survived the crash.
"Dauntless: The Battle of Midway" may not be a great film, but it simply cannot be viewed as equal to the worst Hollywood has turned out. Yet, that's just what all the reviewers who have given it a 1 or 2 have done. I really wonder it they saw the same movie I did.
I could understand that some people may have quibbles with "Dauntless," but the long run of 1 and 2 star ratings is simply incomprehensible. I'll bet that a few of those who rate this movie so low would give a higher rating to "Plan 9 From Outer Space."
I should mention that I have a personal reason for my interest in this movie. You see, my father actually helped build these planes at Douglas Aircraft. I am, therefore, very familiar with the plane and its place in history. And, of course, with the battle of Midway.
"Dauntless: The Battle of Midway" is not flawless. I won't discuss its shortcomings here. Rather, I would like to mention what, in my view, is right with the movie. The actual battle, I feel, is treated pretty well. The acting is fine, and I have no complaints regarding the visual effects.
The main strength of the film is its portrayal of the challenges faced and the sacrifices made the pilots who, let's not minimize this, basically won the War in the Pacific in a few short hours. It's easy for us, many decades after the battle, to ignore what it must have been like to have one's plane go down in flames, with little chance of rescue even if one had survived the crash.
"Dauntless: The Battle of Midway" may not be a great film, but it simply cannot be viewed as equal to the worst Hollywood has turned out. Yet, that's just what all the reviewers who have given it a 1 or 2 have done. I really wonder it they saw the same movie I did.
The Actual Events as they Actually Happened
AlanAtTheMovies6 September 2019
It's challenging to portray all the harrowing details of one of America's greatest military victories within the time frame of a movie, so some of the major historical story lines are abbreviated. However, as far as I can tell, the main characters of this movie speak the actual words as history has recorded them. I can't express how refreshing it is to view a movie that respects history and doesn't bend it to the whim of our current culture.
I was on the edge of my seat during the battle scenes, and when Admiral Spruance called for the flight deck to be lit at night so the pilots could find the ship, in direct contradiction to Navy doctrine - yet, exactly as it happened - I nearly became emotional.
You'll no doubt notice the budget for this movie was somewhat limited, but the CGI is great and the movie includes some strong acting performances. I hope this is the beginning of a long line of historically accurate productions from Bayou Productions.
I was on the edge of my seat during the battle scenes, and when Admiral Spruance called for the flight deck to be lit at night so the pilots could find the ship, in direct contradiction to Navy doctrine - yet, exactly as it happened - I nearly became emotional.
You'll no doubt notice the budget for this movie was somewhat limited, but the CGI is great and the movie includes some strong acting performances. I hope this is the beginning of a long line of historically accurate productions from Bayou Productions.
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