5 DAYS OF WAR is inspired by true events
of what happened in the five day war between Georgia (the country and not the state) and Russia. It was entirely filmed in Georgia
with the full cooperation of the Georgia government and military. Director Renny Harlin filmed the scenes as much in-camera as possible to even
using many tanks and vehicles from the Georgian military. The warfare scenes
are intense as you feel what the war reporters and photographers are seeing. Andy
Garcia channels his best Russian/ east European accent as the President of Georgia while Val Kilmer is criminally underused
as a news cameraman nicknamed Dutchman.
An American journalist (Richard Coyle)
and his cameraman (Richard Coyle) head into Georgia to capture
a story that the news networks are ignoring to cover the opening of the Beijing Olympics.
They rescue Tatia (Emmanuelle Chriqui) from the Russian invasion. They
agree to unite her with her father and sister who are survivors of a bombing by the Russian military (during the wedding of
her sister). The journalist and his cameraman capture some important footage
they must get out while dodging the invading military and volunteer mercenaries.
A friend in the Georgian military warns the journalist about the mercs with white armbands and black masks. He tells him to not take pictures or hide. He says to run.
5 DAYS OF WAR gripped me from the beginning.
It let you get to know the characters before all things go to hell as the Russian invade Georgia. It also highlights
how big network media avoided covering the conflict in favor of the bright and fluffy opening of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
The film deserves to be seen by more people even if some just view it as a drama with some very realistic war scenes.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
11 minutes of deleted and extended scenes
in addition to alternate takes of some scenes.
The audio commentary with director Renny
Harlin is amusing and insightful. He gives tidbits about the film and how it was made.
FINAL ANALYSIS: 5 DAYS TO WAR
is a gripping drama about what war does to people and the battle for the truth. Rent it now.
this DVD review is (c)12-2-2011 David Blackwell
and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
