Letters from Iwo Jima

Clint Eastwood's Oscar nominated film Letters from Iwo Jima lives up to all the hype as it follows the Japanese side of the war on the island of Iwo Jima. Made as a companion film to Flags of our Fathers, Letters is a better film than its other half. The film works on many levels, but it is the characters that stand out as the beacon.

The film revolves around the Japanese troops preparing for battle and the ultimate defeat. None of the cast from Flags appears in this film, which is a good thing. The general in command, played by Ken Watanabe, struggles to retain control of his troops in the ill-fated battle. Eastwood seems to perfect his craft with this film, and the screenplay, which again is given help by Paul Haggis, does not insult the viewer.

This film is one that will most likely stand the test of time (as far as war films go), and it shows the true ability that Eastwood has. Shown along with Flags of our Fathers, the two films create an uncompromising view of the triumph - and tragedy - that occurred on Iwo Jima. A+.