Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Movie Review: A Deep Dive into Ang Lee's High Frame Rate Experiment
Is "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" a good movie? That's the main question. War films often get compared to "Saving Private Ryan." This film has a Certified Fresh score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and won five Oscars, including Best Director. "Billy Lynn" aimed high. But did it achieve greatness?
Let's get straight to it: "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk," directed by Ang Lee, is more than a war movie. It is a significant piece of cinema. Why? It entered uncharted territory. Forget the 48 frames per second (fps) of "The Hobbit." Lee pushed it to 120 fps, leaving 24 fps behind. This film is a technological leap, an experiment in our cinematic experience.
Now, don’t expect "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" to be a strict biopic. It's based on Ben Fountain's novel of the same name, which explores war, heroism, and civil life. Filming locations are unclear, almost as if the movie exists in a space between reality and hyper-reality, much like its lead character.
Technical Marvel or Mismatch? The 120fps Gamble
Let’s discuss the tech. Ang Lee’s "Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk" isn’t just stepping into high frame rates; it’s diving into the deep end. It is the first feature film ever shot at 120 frames per second. For context, "The Hobbit" films were groundbreaking at 48 fps, double the usual 24 fps. Lee quintupled that.
What makes 120fps special? Ang Lee himself called it "The Whole Shebang." He sees this tech as a mix of 3D, 4K HD, and the smoothness of 120 fps. Imagine clarity so sharp; it feels surreal. Motion flows so smoothly, it resembles hyperreality. Lee wanted us to not just watch a film; he wanted us to live it, to share in the chaos of the halftime show and the memories from Iraq.
Characters in Conflict: Billy Lynn and His World
At the core of this spectacle are characters facing human conflicts. Billy Lynn, our hero, is a young soldier caught between two worlds: the harshness of war and the surrealness of halftime shows. His relationships weave through this narrative, drawing us into his struggles externally and within.
One critical bond is with Faison. Their brief but intense moment before Billy’s return to duty is filled with longing. He shares his wish to escape and avoid going back to war. Yet duty calls. Their shared kiss offers a moment of tenderness amid chaos, a whisper of desire against obligation's roar.
Then there’s Kathryn Lynn, Billy's older sister, played by Kristen Stewart. Kathryn represents home life, struggling to grasp her brother’s soldier experience. Their sibling bond is complex, layered with concern, guilt, and love amid the gulf war creates. Kathryn constantly reminds Billy of what he fights for and what he may lose.
Vin Diesel: From Omaha Beach to Halftime Shows
Vin Diesel usually plays action-packed roles. In "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk," he takes on a different character. He plays “Shroom,” a soldier from Bravo Squad, a camaraderie forged in combat.
Released in 2016, Diesel's role dives into exploring a soldier's return from Iraq. Shroom isn’t just a name; it hints at grounded wisdom amid war madness. Diesel's presence adds depth to the film, both intimate and vast.
This isn’t Diesel’s first war role. Before his action career, he appeared in Spielberg’s 1998 WWII epic "Saving Private Ryan." This was one of his early major film roles, contrasting with the star status he later achieved. In "Saving Private Ryan," Diesel played a soldier in Europe, featuring in memorable Omaha Beach scenes and briefly talking about Captain Miller (Tom Hanks). These roles show Diesel's range beyond just action hero stereotypes.
His film career is diverse. He voices Groot in Marvel’s "Guardians of the Galaxy," showcasing his vocal skills and humor. He has led in sci-fi like "Bloodshot" and even voiced in "The Iron Giant." From "Fast and Furious" to "xXx" and "The Pacifier," Diesel shows versatility across genres.
How did Vin Diesel rise to fame? It began with "Saving Private Ryan." This film marked his breakout role. He gained prominence during the late 90s, thanks to Spielberg's war masterpiece in 1998. Spielberg chose him after seeing his short film "Multi-Facial," which Diesel wrote, directed, and starred in. "Saving Private Ryan" wasn't merely a role; it was his launchpad into Hollywood.
Frame Rate Face-Off: 120fps vs. the 24fps Standard
Let’s explore the frame rate debate, a tech focal point of "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk." This film is groundbreaking at 120fps. But why does this matter? Why isn't every movie embracing it?
The movie industry generally adheres to the 24fps standard. This is cinematic dogma. Why? It creates a familiar look, with slight motion blur viewers associate with "high-quality film." This choice wasn’t aesthetic; it grew from necessity. In early filmmaking, 24fps balanced smooth motion and film costs. Film was precious, and higher frame rates meant using more of it.
However, this limitation became an aesthetic choice over time. Audiences became accustomed to 24fps. For them, it felt natural while higher frame rates reflect how we see reality. It shows how technology shapes our perception of art.
Several factors explain why 24fps remains dominant:
- Aesthetic Appeal: The slight blur of 24fps isn’t a flaw; it enhances storytelling. Filmmakers seek the "film look," softening edges and adding dreamlike qualities.
- Historical Precedent: Tradition matters. 24fps has been the norm since cinema's start. Filmmakers and audiences relate to this comfort.
- Sound Synchronization: Early tech needed a consistent rate for accurate sound syncing. 24fps became that reliable format. Modern digital films have overcome constraints, yet 24fps remains strong.
- The standard remains.
- Cost-Efficiency (Historically): Once, using 24fps saved money. Less film, less processing. Now, digital reduces costs on film. Still, the legacy of being cost-effective remains.
Human Eyes vs. Frame Rates
If 120fps is better, why hasn’t it taken over? The answer lies in how we perceive motion. The human eye is not a camera. We see motion smoothly at 30 to 60 frames per second (FPS). This isn’t fixed. It can vary by person and focus level.
Some claim frame rates higher than 60fps give diminishing returns in smoothness. 120fps is indeed smoother than 60fps. And 60fps is smoother than 30fps. Yet, the difference becomes less apparent to many viewers after a certain point. It compares to audio quality; people often can't tell high-resolution audio from well-compressed audio, even if one is "better."
Several factors sway our perception of frame rates:
- Eyesight Quality: Those with sharper vision might notice differences in higher frame rates.
- Screen Size and Resolution: Larger, higher-resolution screens may fit higher frame rates better.
- Viewing Distance: The distance from the screen may impact how one perceives frame rate.
Ultimately, frame rates are not just about technical superiority; they involve aesthetics and tradition. Ang Lee's use of 120fps in "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" challenged these norms, nudging viewers to rethink their expectations of cinema. Whether it succeeded is subjective.
Rating and Related Films
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" received an R rating. This indicates mature content. The rating likely stems from war themes and language. It is not a film for young audiences, as it portrays war and aftermath seriously.
We referenced "Saving Private Ryan," a touchstone in war cinema and pivotal for Vin Diesel's career. Another film aligns thematically with "Billy Lynn": "The Longest Yard." At first glance, they seem different—one is a war drama, the other a sports comedy. Yet both share a theme of men in high-pressure situations. "The Longest Yard" may relate to the 1962 Hungarian film "Two Half Times in Hell." This film stems from a true football match with German soldiers and Ukrainian POWs during WWII. This historical context adds depth, highlighting enduring human stories amid conflict.
Related Tidbits: Harrison Ford, Nelly, and Billy the Kid
Now, let’s explore some trivia related to film.
Have you ever thought Harrison Ford might be a stage name? Surprise! His real name is Harrison Ford. No middle name, just Harrison Ford, a name tied to cinematic cool.
Shifting to music and film, remember Nelly? Before acting, he was an athlete. Nelly played football in junior high in St. Louis. He also played shortstop in high school and caught major league interest from teams like the Braves and Pirates. Unbelievable how paths differ.
Lastly, a nod to Billy the Kid, the legendary outlaw of the Old West. His last words were in Spanish: "¿Quién es? ¿Quién es?" or "Who is it? Who is it?" These words add intrigue to his mythos. He earned "the Kid" nickname not for misdeeds but due to youth and small stature. The MGM+ series "Billy the Kid" aims to explore William H. Bonney, the man behind the legend. The series' accuracy? Debatable when it comes to Old West legends.
Character Endings: Billy Lynn and Others (Spoilers)
Next, we delve into character resolutions, with potential spoilers for "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" and links to other "Billy" characters.
Billy's ending is bittersweet. Before returning to war, he meets Faison. He expresses his desire to escape with her. They share a kiss and promise a different life that might never come true. But duty calls him back.
His sister Kathryn arrives, hoping he might stay. A look between them communicates his choice. Billy must leave. His ending isn't dramatic. It conveys acceptance of his fate. His bond with Faison remains a fleeting dream, a what-if scenario. His choice to rejoin his squad speaks volumes about the film's themes.
Comparing Billy Lynn's ending to other "Billys" enriches the discussion. Bill Denbrough from Stephen King's "It" has a more complex and somewhat hopeful ending, though tinged with sadness. Bill connects with Audra Phillips and Beverly Marsh and faces trauma tied to his brother Georgie's loss. Eventually, he finds resolution—a contrast to Billy Lynn’s ambiguous fate.
Then there's another Billy from an unspecified film who faces a melodramatic ending. He develops a brain tumor, reconnects with Ally, and dies in court, imagining a different life. This trajectory starkly contrasts with Billy Lynn's more subdued conclusion.
Lastly, considering a "Billy and Beverly" relationship echoes Bill Denbrough’s struggles with kid crushes versus adult commitments, alongside moral ambiguity. Meanwhile, Billy Lynn's bond with Faison faces interruption from war realities, leaving us questioning what could have been.
In summary, "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" transcends standard movie reviews; it becomes a cinematic event that melds technology with poignant storytelling. Whether one finds 120fps captivating or alienating, the film ignites discussion about cinema's future, heroism’s essence, and war’s lasting impact.
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