Film Preview: Midway (2019)

Page Revisions:

(July 7, 2019) Original
(September 22, 2019) New Trailer (#2) / New Posters (#2-#14)
(November 3, 2019) New Posters (#15-#16)

Release Date:

November 8, 2019

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “The story of the Battle of Midway, told by the leaders and the sailors who fought it.”

Poster Rating: C- / D+ (13) / B+ / C+

SEE ALL POSTERS BELOW
Review: (#1) There’s not enough here to sell a war movie. Climbing into a fighter jet might be a key element to the film, but not so key that it deserves its own lackluster poster design.

(#2-#14) With nary a stray detail in the background, these glossy character posters feel oddly out of place and rather ugly.

(#15) A fond throwback to the hand-drawn ensemble designs of the past, this poster has every element one could expect except with a weak upper right. (#16) This action-heavy design might entice fans of action war films, but that might not be sufficient to build a broader viewership out of.

Trailer Rating: B- / B-

SEE ALL TRAILERS BELOW
Review: (#1) It’s an aspect of World War II that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention and although the quality of the narrative will be in question due to Roland Emmerich’s involvement, the effects and spectacle certainly look engaging.

(#2) If you held out hope that this film would have a more down-to-earth, contemplative quality, this trailer dashes that completely and makes it look every bit the spectacle that Roland Emmerich is known for and almost looks as cheaply entertaining as Michael Bay’s Pearl Harbor was.

Oscar Prospects:

Roland Emmerich has been trying for legitimacy for some time and while the trailer suggests his typical flair in production spectacle, it’s yet to be seen if the film can impress Academy voters enough.