"1917" is no doubt an outstanding technical achievement, to the point I spent the whole film admiring the camerawork and riveting photography instead of empathizing with the characters (Deakins, you did it again!!). The film really succeeds at giving the illusion of being shot in a single take, with lengthy yet incredibly fluid and suggestive tracking shots that let you discover the world at the same pace as the main characters. It's an immersive experience but ultimately felt more like a horror-tinged virtual tour of the battlefield rather than an example of emotionally resonant storytelling. There are a few engaging moments along the way indeed, but it always seems like the director's ultimate objective is to impress and keep making you think: "how the hell did they shot that!". Gimmicks can make a difference in certain films, but at some point, you are supposed to forget about them so that you can get lost in the film's world.

Still, I do appreciate that the film tries to point out the absurdity and monstrosity of war without being preachy and maudlin. The beginning can be a little misleading, but eventually, there is no hero to glorify nor big speech to make. You just follow an ordinary soldier in his journey and let the images speak themselves.