Friday 4 February 2011

Paradox Soldiers reviewed

This Russian offering adds a science-fiction twist to a war film, including some excellent battle re-enactments. Four young men, two Russians and two Ukrainians, enter into a time portal during a re-enactment of the Brody Encirclement, one of the bloodiest battles fought in the Eastern Front in 1944, were the Nazi Ukrainian Galitsin division was nearly annihilated. To their chagrin, they land right in the middle of the bloodshed of the real battle, torn between their desire to return to the present time, escape alive, and not change history, the end of which they already know.

However, I find very little to recommend in the Paradox Soldiers, apart from the battle re-enactments, which are spectacular, with careful attention to detail. The acting is stiff, the cinematography and camera work undistinguishable, some of the twists are actually quite risible, the plot line confused. The past-present dilemma is hardly touched. The class conflict within Ukrainian society is hardly touched, although hinted.

In short, if you are into war movies, and would like to bite your teeth into this episode of the war in what was then the Soviet Union, then Paradox Soldiers is for you. Otherwise, ignore it.

Director: Boris Rostov
Cast: Igor Petrenko, Vladimir Yaglich, Alexei Barabash
Distributor: Metrodome Group

DVD Release date: 21st February 2011
Running time: 102 Minutes
Price: £15.99 / Certificate: TBC

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