ANJELINA JOLIE DIRECTS UNBROKEN

2014 rating: *

A true life story about Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, who, during The Second World War after his plane goes down, survives on a raft and is ultimately captured by the Japanese.

As director, Angelina Jolie plays her ace way too soon…

Creative flashbacks show Zamperini's childhood as a rebellious kid, sneaking booze after church and the start of his running track reign, leading to the 1938 Olympics: all during scenes before the crash, resulting in the deep sea survival portion when those much-needed flashbacks had all run out. Meanwhile, his fellow soldiers, including a cigar-chomping maverick, were colorfully introduced but ultimately wasted.

It’s a true story, but perhaps a few cliché War Movie aspects would have helped make UNBREAKABLE cross over onto the big screen with more dynamic... especially when Zamperini winds up as a POW in Japan with excessive scenes of beating after beating. Much like 12 YEARS A SLAVE we witness the brutality served upon the main character with hardly any story in-between.