Windtalkers

The Navajo code talkers who are the ostensive focus of this new John Woo World War II movie have so little to do with the story that calling the picture Windtalkers seems like a bit of a sham. Yes, one of the main characters is a Navajo (Adam Beach) who has a hard time fitting in with his Marine unit, which is teeming with countrified Southern bigots. And, yes, once in combat Beach calls in a few air strikes using the unbroken Navajo language-based code that helped win the war. But the discrimination storyline could have featured any non-Caucasian, and air strikes called in from a position that's already under fire hardly require talking in code (in real life, the Navajo code was used more for intelligence). So, except for the few scenes of Navajo soldiers performing ceremonies or using the code in combat, Windtalkers is nothing but a warmed-over version of the same World War II movie that Hollywood studios have been making since, well, World War II. The real leads are Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater, as white soldiers conflicted over orders to protect the code at all costs. Not recommended. (R. Blackwelder) [DVD Review—Apr. 18, 2006—MGM, 153 min., R, $19.95—Making its third appearance on DVD, 2002's Windtalkers (Director's Cut) sports a nice-looking transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. DVD extras include three audio commentaries (the first by director John Woo and producer Terence Chang; second by costars Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater; and third by costar Roger Willie and Navajo code talker advisor Albert Smith), and trailers. Bottom line: since this was already released as a three-disc edition with all the same commentaries plus more extras, this release of a so-so film is hardly worth note.] [Blu-ray Review—Nov. 27, 2018—Music Video Distributors, 2 discs, 134 min., R, Blu-ray: $39.99—Making its latest appearance on Blu-ray, 2002’s Windtalkers features a fine transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 audio. Extras include both the theatrical and director’s cut editions of the film, three audio commentaries (one by director John Woo and producer Terence Chang, another by costars Christian Slater and Nicolas Cage, and the last by costar Roger Willie and real-life Navajo code talker consultant Albert Smith), scene diaries (24 min.), the production featurettes 'The Code Talkers: A Secret Code of Honor' (23 min.), 'Actor’s Bootcamp' (15 min.), 'American Heroes: A Tribute to Navajo Code Talkers' (9 min.), and 'The Music' (5 min.), and a photo gallery. Bottom line: a fine edition of an unremarkable war drama.]