Flags of Our Fathers

In my opinion this film is simply too long for no reason. Many scenes and situations are repeated and some of the effect and involvment fizzles out. The actors also seem a bit too detached or aloof (poor direction? ) particularly Ryan Philippe who seems to be walking through in a daze. Music is simply archaic and soap-opera like. Many cardboard characters... a mean geberal, a ditsy fiancee, a hokum recruit, the cruel japanese, etc. These simplified incarnations worked for Eastwood in $$$Baby and the Unforgiven, falls flat here. But I still think a very good film lies beneath, nothing a sharp pair of scissors couldn't fix. What is stunning is the journey to and the subsequent battle of Iwo Jima. Magnificent cinematography and pacing in these scenes.