Enemy at the Gates aims high but stops short with WWII tale

Enemy At The Gates, the newest spin on the World War II film genre, aims high with a stellar cast, realistic background and sobering story. The film centers around the historic confrontation of Stalingrad, the city where Russians held their ground against the Germans during World War II. The battle raged until the two best snipers from Germany and Russia battled to decide the fate of the mora le of both sides. While history chose one victor, Enemy At The Gates gives the background of a battle where two men would decide the fate of a nation. These dramatic characters are brought to life by Ed Harris (Pollock) and Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley). The film gives a realistic picture of war, but from the refreshingly new perspective of a front American audiences seldom see the Russian side. Comparable to the open beach battle in Saving Private Ryan, Enemy at the Gates forges battle over an entire city. The special effects and costumes are fitting, down to the Nazi swastika worn by Harris, playing the German marksman Major Konig. All the battle sequences are realistic, like the background of a city shelled to pieces that will leave viewers in complete aw e. Even with a Russian perspective, the story does not deviate much from history. When a young sniper named Vassili Zaitsev (Law) is made famous by his friend and propaganda chief of the Russian Army (Joseph Fiennes), the Germans send in their best man, Konig. What transpires is a personal battle between both men that takes place against a backdrop of love and loss in the war-torn Stalingrad. Behind the backdrop of battle, the filmmakers paint a story of love between Vassili and a female sniper named Tania Chernova (Rachel Weisz). Unfortunately, the filmmakers did not go far enough. Enemy keeps a high interest throughout suspenseful moments, but starts to tire during a cat and mouse game that simply last too long. During the course of the film, viewers never feel anything to keep them on the edge of their seats, leading up to a final battle that loses its potential climax. The actors, while giving outstanding performances, fail to adapt Russian characteristics like a realistic Russian accent, which takes away realism from the film. Although Enemy is historically correct and aesthetically pleasing, do not hope for the next Saving Private Ryan. Enemy at the Gates is now playing at the Regal Knoxville Center 10 and Carmike Wynnsong 16. Rating: C+