We may be hunted like animals, but we will not become animals. (Defiance)
Alright. Today, a couple of friends and I met up and went to see Defiance. Defiance, starring Daniel Craig, tells the story of a group of Jewish people who started a resistance community in the forests of Belorussia to evade being sent to concentration camps.
The movie starts with a black and white, grainy, real video of a mass execution of Jews...and fades from black and white into color, a stunning recreation of the scene. That was one of my favorite moments in the film. I got such chills.
From that moment on, I couldn't look away. I got pulled into the story of three Jewish brothers, the Bielskis. When their parents are murdered by Secret Service officials, the brothers take refuge in the woods. After stumbling across other Jewish people, Tuvia Bielski (Craig) decides to protect and provide for them.
Now, like any other film, this one had its flaws and did tend to lull at times. The lulls were good breaks from intense, intense violence, however, and I didn't walk out disappointed. Unlike other movies released this weekend, Defiance will make you think. I'm glad I saw it.
For those who read my review of Valkyrie on Sunday, I think I enjoyed Valkyrie a tad more over Defiance simply because it was more heart-pounding and contained non-stop thrills. However, I highly recommend both. Good movies, if you're looking to see a movie that doesn't require checking your brain at the door.