Realistic Combat Strategies in Film

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the portrayal of combat strategies in films, focusing on the realism and strategic depth of various movies. Participants express their frustrations with typical cinematic tropes where protagonists overcome overwhelming odds without realistic consequences, and they seek recommendations for films that depict more nuanced and believable combat scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express dissatisfaction with the predictability of protagonists winning against all odds, questioning the realism of such portrayals.
  • One participant cites "Chinatown" as an example of a film where the protagonist is realistically injured and ultimately defeated, contrasting it with typical action films.
  • Another participant mentions "Apocalypse Now" as a film that captures the realism of prolonged conflict and the psychological toll it takes on individuals.
  • Several participants suggest "Saving Private Ryan" as a film that depicts combat realistically, though one notes it has excessive dialogue during action sequences.
  • There is a mention of "Requiem for a Dream" as a film that, while not focused on combat, offers a realistic portrayal of its characters' struggles.
  • Some participants humorously reference "The Spongebob Squarepants Movie," debating its realism in combat scenes, with one arguing that it reflects how confrontations would realistically unfold.
  • Another participant brings up the historical context of "Bambi," noting its ban by the Nazis as an anti-fascist film, which diverges from the main topic but adds to the discussion's depth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the portrayal of combat in films, with multiple competing views on what constitutes realism and strategic depth. The discussion remains unresolved as participants share varied opinions and examples.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the realism of specific films depend on subjective interpretations of combat and character development, and there are unresolved discussions about the effectiveness of various cinematic techniques in portraying realistic scenarios.

GladScientist
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I have a silly habit of dissecting events in movies way too much. I just can't stand that in every movie I watch, the protagonist is pitted against all odds, and then comes out on top because... the protagonist has to win? Or the good guy stands in the plainest possible view of enemy fire and shoots his guns hoping that nothing hits him, and surely nothing ever does.

Can anyone recommend some movies where you can see some strategic depth being played out, rather than just a predictable cop-out?
 
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The only one I can think of is Chinatown. The protagonist gets his nose cut by a thug within the first half hour and spends the rest of the film with a big bandage on it. He's also more or less ultimately defeated. Despite that, it succeeds in being a powerful, engrossing movie.

Bruce Willis seems to get the crap beaten out of him quite a bit in his action movies while ultimately prevailing. Still, if they were realistic, he'd have been killed, not just distressed.
 
GladScientist said:
I have a silly habit of dissecting events in movies way too much. I just can't stand that in every movie I watch, the protagonist is pitted against all odds, and then comes out on top because... the protagonist has to win? Or the good guy stands in the plainest possible view of enemy fire and shoots his guns hoping that nothing hits him, and surely nothing ever does.

Can anyone recommend some movies where you can see some strategic depth being played out, rather than just a predictable cop-out?

Realism in Movies. What a concept.

This is realism, endless hours of waiting that stretch into days, weeks, and months with moments of sheer terror. People doing anything to keep your sanity.

Apocalypse Now, that's realism.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie.
 
WannabeNewton said:
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie.
Give me a break. The cartoon character is nothing like the real Spongebob Squarepants. I think the combat scene in this movie short is a realistic depiction of how the actual confrontation would have played out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpBkc2jK-6w
 
Requiem for a Dream is realistic and has good music. It should satisfy your conditions for main characters. Very depressing. No combat though.

Edit: Thanks for posting the bambii vs godzilla video. My dad saw that video in college and mentioned it at the dinner table. I sent him the link.
 
Last edited:
Jimmy Snyder said:
Give me a break. The cartoon character is nothing like the real Spongebob Squarepants. I think the combat scene in this movie short is a realistic depiction of how the actual confrontation would have played out.

I recently learned that Bambi was banned by the Nazis as anti-fascist.
 
russ_watters said:
Saving Private Ryan.

Great movie but way too much talking in the field.
 

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