MIDWAY (2019)

Movies based on historical events can be educational for students.  The problem is that it seems the more entertaining they are, the more inaccurate they are.  I used to show some movies in my American History class and I always looked for a blend of entertainment and education.  There are very few of those that are PG rated.  The new Midway movie seems to fit the bill.  It is acceptably accurate and students can learn the basics about one of the most important battles in American History.  Most remarkably, it concentrates on some great Americans that don’t make it into the textbooks.  Besides Chester Nimitz, the movie features Richard Best, who dropped bombs on two aircraft carriers.  Unfortunately, Best comes off as WWII Luke Skywalker.  The movie is certainly aimed at your boy students.  The CGI is over the top, as usual.  The planes look great, but they do things that only an x-fighter could do.  The effects will probably distract your students from the acting and dialogue.  And they’ll love seeing Nick Jonas playing tail gunner Bruno Gaido (an actual hero who did not look like a Jonas brother).  Overall, as an adult war movie lover, the movie sucks.  But I would give my students extra credit for seeing it because let’s face it, they are not going to read a book about it.  For my full review go to:  https://warmoviebuff.blogspot.com/2019/11/now-showing-midway-2019.html