By: Cynthia A.

Directed by: George Clooney

Screenplay by: George Clooney & Grant Heslov

Based on The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel 

Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville & Cate Blanchett

Genre: Action, Drama

Based on the harrowing true story of the greatest treasure hunt.  During World War II by 1943, the Allies are making good progress driving back the Axis powers.  However, one Frank Stokes persuades the US President that victory will have little meaning is the art treasures of western civilization are lost in the fighting either as collateral damage or looted.  So Stokes assembles an army unit nicknamed the “Monuments Men” to guide Allied units and hunt down the historical art stolen by the Nazi’s.

The Monuments Men is an amazing story based on the true accounts of seven men, comprised of architects, curators and sculptors who were tasked to preserve and save what was left of the priceless art during World War II.  This is a remarkable story about friendship, honor, and the greatest treasure hunt/race in history.

Now, George Clooney doesn’t shine in this movie, which isn’t unlike many of his other performances on the big screen.  Certainly, on the small screen, he shines, but on the big screen, his acting is never spectacular.  He carries the same facial expressions, the same monotonous tone that doesn’t resonate the emotions of his characters well.  Let’s say that you watch this movie after an interview of his, there is no difference in who he is.  George Clooney doesn’t really capture his characters and really just remains George Clooney.  However, as far as directing and writing are concerned, he was brilliant.  He was able to bring this brilliant cast together and weave this wonderful movie.  The direction and historical accuracy he showed behind the scenes of the movie was brilliantly captured into the movie.

Now as far as the other actors go, they were all remarkable.  This really was an all-star cast.  Here you had comedians such as the Bill Murray and John Goodman whose years of experience have allowed them to hit their marks remarkably into this film.  They captured the moments of warmth, sadness and laughter with ease and even with their straight-faced expressions, they were able to captivate and make the audiences laugh.  But they weren’t the only ones, everyone, George Clooney being the exception for the reasons stated above, were able to weave together this masterpiece with their incredible acting skills.  Audiences already know these cast members and know just how remarkable they are, but this movie, it just reinforced and highlighted why these actors are so phenomenal.  Their talent and charisma just lights up the screen and their friendship off the screen makes the movie lighter, more heartfelt and heart wrenching at the same time.

All in all, this was an amazing movie, and for the record, Matt Damon’s French isn’t that bad…except for that one moment.  ★★★★ (A+)