War movies are often defined by conflict: enemies fighting each other to the death, military strategists butting heads. These are often the key focal points of any movie about war. The Japanese blockbuster The Great War of Archimedes takes this idea and gives it a unique spin.
The conflict here is one of a more bureaucratic nature. It is an obvious fact that war is not only hell but expensive. The central conceit of this film is over the budget of a battleship, the Yamato. Japanese Rear Admiral Isoroku Yanamoto believes warships to be an ineffective weapon, favoring aircraft carriers. He needs to prove that the battleship is too expensive, and “sink” its construction by demonstrating how the costs are too high.
Yanamoto recruits math genius Kai, a recently expelled student from the University of Tokyo. The conflict here is whether or not Kai can use his godlike analytical skills to prove the battleship is not a project worth pursuing. The Great War of Archimedes is extremely unconventional in this regard, and not your typical war movie. Equations replace mortars. Price tags replace dog tags.
Those looking for a tried and true, blood and guts action flick will surely be disappointed. This film is more cerebral, focusing on a very behind-the-scenes and often overlooked aspect of war. However, the performances are worth it. There’s enough here to keep audiences' attention afloat. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P.