Unfortunately Valkyrie, which tells the story of the 20th July plot, is nothing close to that –– despite the source material.
The historical thriller focuses on the life of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise), a heroic man who fought for his country in the First World War –– costing him his eye, hand and two fingers.
Director Bryan Singer pitches Stauffenberg as Hitler's equal and opposite –– bad news for the Fuhrer when the colonel is brought into the German Resistance, which seeks to assassinate him.
The problem is that the plot to kill Hitler –– and what to do when he is gone –– is far less impressive than the group's lofty goals.
Tom Cruise as the one-eyed Von Stauffenberg gives nothing less than a bizarre performance.
There's nothing wrong with his acting, in fact, his portrayal of Von Stauffenberg as the patriot who hates his country's leader is actually quite good in parts.
But it is still difficult not to think of him in parts as the actor from Top Gun, but wearing an eye patch and putting on a tough guy voice instead of a German accent.
You get the feeling that the decision not to force the actors to put on an accent was made to accommodate Cruise and British actors Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp, Kenneth Branagh, and Eddie Izzard.
It might have been the fatal flaw of the film, which despite being based on a true story comes across as a bit false from the start.
The story of Operation Valkyrie and the 20th July plot is one that movie makers will want to tell over and over again –– let's hope they do a better job next time.
— 2/5Click here to watch more film trailers.