(Life Through the Lens - Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time – the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence… Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” — Martin Luther King Jr. in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech (1964)

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It is Lance Sterling’s world…we just live in it. Sterling (Will Smith) is the world’s greatest spy, single-handedly doing impossible tasks and doing those impossible tasks with s.t.y.l.e. Even the darkest and seediest of all criminals seem to pose no threat as Lance threatens to pose over their defeated messy-masses. Without breaking a sweat, Sterling manages to bring the mission home: a briefcase containing an advanced attack-drone. [Enter high-fives and crowd-swooning]

On his way to the briefing-room, Sterling stops in to Research and Development to follow-up on the new device they gave him. Instead of the BANG and destruction he ordered, his new device was more of a…glitter and kittens kind-of weapon. Yeah, it worked…but it was just embarrassing. Sterling is quickly pointed to the scientist responsible – Walter Beckett (Tom Holland). Walter has created quite the reputation for himself: young, genius, eccentric…nonviolent, off-putting, weird. Once Sterling is done talking to him, we can add “unemployed” to the list of adjectives.

Instead of the normal “will you sign my shirt!” reaction when he enters a room, Sterling is met with contention and hostility in the briefing-room. The briefcase is empty, the mission was fraud, and video clearly shows Sterling double-crossing the organization. Although he is innocent, Sterling is shocked and off-balance…and surrounded by once-admirers/now-attackers. Quick-thinking leads him out of trouble and into hiding. He flees to the only unaffiliated-intelligence he knows: Walter.

“Didn’t you mention a new concealment invention earlier…as I was trying to fire you in the elevator?” Sterling’s desperation and Walter’s excitement lead to a disastrous misunderstanding: Sterling receives the concealment, but Walter only really does pigeon-concealment, though. Was that not in the fine-print? With his life on the line, Sterling must battle the bad-guys and restore his reputation…all with wings, plumage, and something called a cloaca.

My favorite way to review a kids’ movie is watch it WITH my kids. Here are some quotes from my kids: “Dad, I think I want to change my favorite movie to this!” “That movie was SO FUNNY!” “I’m hungry!” “Can we have a blue-footed booby for a pet?” The last two comments are not related…but all my kids are special, so I have to share all of their thoughts equally. My family saw this all together – all six of us! We laughed so hard; we quoted the movie on the way home; we’ve already planned to buy it when it comes out. How is that for a review?

Although it is visually interesting, funny, and well-constructed, those are not my favorite things. I am partial to the movie’s theme: it does not take violence to enact change. Too much of our culture glorifies violence, but this movie attempts the opposite. It shows the flaws and faults in force and fighting – it just creates villains out of everyone.

It won’t revolutionize animated movies, but it will certainly entertain you and cause some cultural self-reflection.

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World War I rages on in France. April 1917 brings a slight change, though: the British forces seem to have the Germans on the retreat across the western front. Hopes are high, adrenaline is running wild, and troops are preparing for an all-out attack. What they know is promising…but it is what they don’t know that will kill them: the Germans have strategically pulled their forces as a trap. The British troops, all 1,600 of them, are walking into an ambush. Poop!

Life-saving-information comes to aerial intelligence about the danger…but the communication lines have all been severed. The only option is good-ole-fashioned “hoofin’ it.” But who would take this treacherous mission across enemy lines and through occupied territory? How about that kid over there? Doesn’t he have a brother in the exposed battalion? They enlist the service of Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) to deliver the message and rescue his brother. Unbeknownst to the peril, Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) agrees to accompany his friend.

Now the clock is ticking – either the message is delivered and lives are saved…or it fails and unnecessary-blood is shed. Talk about stressful! Through filthy trenches, destroyed villages, and hidden hazards, these two men displace their fear for their duty.

I dare you. I dare you to watch this movie and tell me you weren’t in awe the whole time. Minute after minute will pass, but you won’t notice – your perception of time will be entwined with theirs. It is as if you cease-to-be for just a while. Frankly, I wouldn’t have been surprised to find mud on my shoes as I exited the theater! 1917 is virtual reality without the dumb goggles.

I am inspired by director Sam Mendes. I am inspired by his vision and his dedication. It is a monumental undertaking to make a movie of this magnitude, with every detail planned and practiced. Mendes knew of the inherent difficulties…and did it anyway! His final product is a work of art, inspiring disbelief and wonder.

Equal praise belongs to cinematographer Roger Deakins. Deakins has always been a favorite of mine, precise and inventive, but this is a new side to him. Mendes tasked Deakins with making a war movie IN ONE SHOT! And he did it! The mesmerizing and methodical way he achieved this is truly a cinematic milestone. Deakins seamlessly moves from following on foot to gliding over water to tightrope walking…and never missing a beat. How? I DON’T KNOW.

Another standout would be the production designer Dennis Gassner. He created a mile of intricate trenches with authentic texture and detail…to be sprinted through! He created an entire French-city of 150 buildings…and destroyed it! Each set-piece created was wonderfully-haunting yet hauntingly-wonderful at the same time. In his own words, “When in doubt, make everything beautiful.”

It is, by no means, a perfect movie; I do have some minor issues. The acting was good…not great. The plot was simple. The music was uninspiring. I can safely say, though, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I was swept away by the technicalities! Once again: I dare you to watch this movie and tell me you weren’t in awe the whole time.

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Both movies come back to Martin Luther King Jr.’s words and teachings. How far can violence and aggression get you…and will there be enough left in the end for nonviolence and love to mend? “I believe that unarmed-truth and unconditional-love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” Preach, brother King!

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REPORT CARD: Spies in Disguise

Grade: A-

Comment: A humorous exercise in battling hubris

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REPORT CARD: 1917

Grade: A+

Comment: A movie of sheer might and desire