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Midway(2019 film)

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Midway
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRoland Emmerich
Written byWes Tooke
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRobby Baumgartner
Edited byAdam Wolfe
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • November 8, 2019(2019-11-08)
Running time
138 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Canada
  • China
Languages
  • English
  • Japanese
Budget$100 million[3]
Box office$127.4 million[4]

Midwayis a 2019war filmdirected byRoland Emmerich,who also produced the film withHarald Kloser,and was written by Wes Tooke. The film is about theBattle of Midway,a turning point in thePacific TheaterofWorld War II,starringEd Skrein,Patrick Wilson,Luke Evans,Aaron Eckhart,Nick Jonas,Mandy Moore,Dennis Quaid,Tadanobu Asano,Darren Criss,andWoody Harrelson.

The film was a passion project of Emmerich's, and he had trouble getting financial support for the film before finally raising sufficient funds and officially announcing the project in 2017. Much of the cast joined in 2018, and filming began inHawaii.Some filming also took place inMontreal.With a production budget of $100million, it is to date one of the most expensiveindependent filmsof all time.

Midwaywas theatrically released byLionsgateandSummit Entertainmentin the United States on November8, 2019 and received generally mixed reviews from critics, who praised the visuals but criticized the screenplay. The film was abox-office bomb,grossing only $126 million worldwide against the $100 million budget.[5]

Plot[edit]

In December 1937, Lieutenant CommanderEdwin T. Layton,an American naval attaché intelligence officer, is warned during a state function in Tokyo between theUnited States Navy,BritishRoyal Navy,andImperial Japanese Navyby AdmiralIsoroku Yamamotothat, because 80% of Japan's oil is imported, if the US were to threaten their oil supply then the Japanese would have no choice but to wage war.

On December 7, 1941, duringWorld War II,following the US's decision to cut off Japan's oil supply, the Japanese launch asurprise attack on Pearl Harbor,forcing the US to enter the war. Admiral Yamamoto, with the support of Rear AdmiralTamon Yamaguchi,proposes an audacious plan to invadeMidway Islandusing the four available Japanese carriers of the "Kido Butai"but the Japanese Army overrules them. In February, naval aviator LieutenantRichard "Dick" Bestand the Air Group of the carrierUSSEnterpriselaunches raids against theMarshall Islands.In April, after Lieutenant ColonelJimmy Doolittle'sraid on Tokyo,Yamamoto, Yamaguchi, and Vice AdmiralChuichi Nagumoare permitted to carry out their plan to attack Midway.

In May, following theBattle of the Coral Sea,Layton, along withJoseph Rochefortand his cryptography team, usesignals intelligenceto intercept Japanese messages about an operation against an objective identified only as "AF". Layton and his team believe that "AF" is Midway Atoll, while Washington believes it to be a target in the South Pacific. The newly appointed commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, AdmiralChester W. Nimitz,remains skeptical. To prove their theory, Layton instructs Midway to send an unencrypted message stating they are suffering from a water shortage. The Japanese pick up this signal and send an intercepted message about water shortages on "AF," confirming "AF" to be Midway. Hoping to mount his surprise attack, Nimitz orders theaircraft carriersUSSHornetandEnterpriseto be recalled from the Coral Sea and demands that the damagedUSSYorktownbe repaired in 72 hours for combat operations. AdmiralWilliam Halsey Jris placed on shore leave due toshinglesand is temporarily replaced by AdmiralRaymond A. Spruance.

On June 4, the Japanese launch an air raid on Midway. Initial attempts by US land-based aircraft to strike the Japanese fleet carriers fail, although Nagumo is shaken when a crashing American bomber narrowly misses the bridge of theJapanese aircraft carrierAkagiin an apparent ramming attempt. The submarineUSSNautilustries to attack the fleet and is chased off by theJapanese destroyerArashi.American squadrons attack the Japanese fleet without success, and a surviving crew memberGeorge H. Gay Jr.in the water as the persistent attacks disrupt the fleet from launching their counterstrike. Upon spotting theArashifrom the air,Wade McCluskycorrectly figures out the destroyer is rushing back to the fleet and leads his planes to follow its course. Arriving to find the JapaneseCombat Air Patrolat low level due to the previous attacks, the dive bombers reduce the Japanese aircraft carriersKaga,SōryūandAkagito burning wrecks. Nagumo is persuaded to transfer his flag while Yamaguchi, aboard the sole remaining carrier,Hiryu,launches a strike that succeeds in cripplingYorktownbutEnterpriseandHornetsuccessfully cripple theHiryuin response. Admiral Yamaguchi chooses togo down with his commandalong with the Captain, asHiryuisscuttled.

Yamamoto orders a general withdrawal. At Pearl Harbor, Rochefort intercepts the Japanese order to withdraw and passes it to Layton, who informs Nimitz. Best is discharged from the Navy for his lung problems, incurred due to the use of faulty breathing apparatus during the battle and returns home to his wife and daughter.

Cast[edit]

Allies[edit]

Actor Role Notes
Ed Skrein LieutenantDick Best Commander,Bombing Squadron 6,USSEnterprise
Patrick Wilson Lieutenant CommanderEdwin Layton Intelligence officer,US Pacific Fleet
Luke Evans Lieutenant CommanderWade McClusky Air group commander,USSEnterprise
Aaron Eckhart Lieutenant ColonelJimmy Doolittle USAAFflight commander, embarked onUSSHornet
Nick Jonas Aviation Machinist's MateBruno Gaido Aviation crew,USSEnterprise
Luke Kleintank Lieutenant Clarence Dickinson Jr. Pilot, Scouting Squadron 6,USSEnterprise
Darren Criss Lieutenant CommanderEugene Lindsey Commander, Torpedo Squadron 6,USSEnterprise
Keean Johnson Chief Aviation RadiomanJames Murray Radio operator, Bombing Squadron 6,USSEnterprise
Alexander Ludwig Lieutenant Roy Pearce Watch officer,USSArizona
Brennan Brown CommanderJoseph Rochefort Chief Cryptanalyst,Fleet Radio Unit Pacific
Geoffrey Blake CommanderJohn Ford Film directorstationed atMidway Islandon Special Duty
Jake Manley Ensign Willie West Pilot, Bombing Squadron 6,USSEnterprise
Mark Rolston AdmiralErnest King Chief of Naval Operations
Jake Weber Rear AdmiralRaymond Spruance Commander,Task Force 16
Eric Davis CaptainMiles Browning Halsey's chief of staff,USSEnterprise
David Hewlett AdmiralHusband Kimmel Commander-in-chief,US Pacific Fleet
Dennis Quaid Vice AdmiralWilliam "Bull" Halsey Commander,Carrier Division Two
Woody Harrelson AdmiralChester W. Nimitz Commander-in-chief,US Pacific Fleet
Brandon Sklenar EnsignGeorge "Tex" Gay Pilot,Torpedo Squadron 8,USSHornet
James Carpinello Lieutenant CommanderWilliam Brockman Captain,USSNautilus

Japanese[edit]

Actor Role Notes
Etsushi Toyokawa AdmiralIsoroku Yamamoto Commander-in-chief,Combined Fleet
Tadanobu Asano Rear AdmiralTamon Yamaguchi Commander,2nd Carrier Division
Jun Kunimura Vice AdmiralChūichi Nagumo Commander,1st Air Fleet(Kido Butai)
Peter Shinkoda CommanderMinoru Genda Air Operations Officer,1st Air Fleet
Hiro Kanagawa CommanderIsamu Fujita Captain,Makigumo
Hiromoto Ida Prime MinisterGeneralHideki Tōjō
Hiroaki Shintani EmperorHirohito
Nobuya Shimamoto Captain Tomeo Kaku

Civilians[edit]

Actor Role Notes
Rachael Perrell Fosket Dagne Layton Edwin Layton's wife
Kenny Leu Zhu Xuesan Chinese school teacher, who visited the US in 1932
Mandy Moore Anne Best Dick Best's wife
Dean Schaller Jack MacKenzieJr. Ford'scameraman

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

On May 23, 2017, it was reported thatRoland Emmerichwould be directing the World WarII filmMidway.[6]Due to its potential lofty budget (with estimates putting its needed cost at $125million), Emmerich had trouble getting the film greenlit. When no major studio would bankroll the project, he cut down on potential battle sequences and turned to individuals for the funds, resulting in $76million; he then got an additional $24million in equity, mostly from Chinese investors, resulting in the film's $100million budget. It is one of the most costlyindependent filmsever made.[3]Emmerich had previously attempted to mount the film atSony Picturesin the 1990s, withWilliam Goldmanbecoming interested in the project. However, as with the final rendition, executives balked at the proposed $100million budget ($152million by 2019 inflation), and Emmerich moved on to directThe Patriot.[7]

Harald Kloseralso produced the film.[1]TheNaval History and Heritage Commandof the US Navy were involved in both the writing and production of the film.[8]

Casting[edit]

In April 2018,Woody HarrelsonandMandy Moorejoined the ensemble cast for the film.[9]In July 2018,Luke Evanswas cast in the film to play Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his role in the Battle of Midway.[10]Robby Baumgartner was hired ascinematographer.[11]August saw the additions ofPatrick Wilson,[12]Ed Skrein,[13]Aaron Eckhart,Nick Jonas,Tadanobu Asano,Dennis Quaid,and others to the cast.[14]Darren Criss,Alexander Ludwig,andBrandon Sklenarwere cast in September.[15][16][17]

Filming[edit]

Filming began on September5, 2018, inHonolulu, Hawaii.It was also shot inMontreal, Quebec.[11]

In November 2018, it was announced that VFX companyScanline VFXwill be the main VFX vendor, and thatPixomondohad signed on to provide additional visual effects.

Release[edit]

A photo from a press junket for the film

The film was released on November 8, 2019,Veterans Dayweekend.[18]

Marketing[edit]

A teaser poster for the film was released on June4, 2019, which was also the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Midway.[19]A set of 13 still photographs depicting scenes from the film was released on June26, 2019, and the first trailer for the film was released the following day (June27).[20]The second and final trailer of the film was released on September12, 2019, with the film's theatrical poster on September25.[21][22]All-in-all, Lionsgate spent around $40million promoting the film.[23]

Home media[edit]

Midwaywas released onDigital HDon February4, 2020, and onDVD,Blu-rayandUltra HD Blu-rayon February18, 2020.[24]

Reception[edit]

Box office[edit]

Midwaygrossed $56.8million in the United States and Canada, and $70.6million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $127.4million, against a production budget of $100million.[4]

In the United States and Canada,Midwaywas released alongsideDoctor Sleep,Playing with Fire,andLast Christmas,and was projected to gross around $15million from 3,242 theaters in its opening weekend.[25][26]The film made $6.3million on its first day (including $925,000 from Thursday night previews). It went on to debut to $17.9million, beating box office expectations and upsetting projected winnerDoctor Sleepby finishing first at the box office.[23][27][26]In its second weekend the film made $8.5million, finishing second behind newcomerFord v Ferrari,before making $4.7million and finishing in fifth in its third weekend.[28][29]

Critical response[edit]

Onreview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rating of 42% based on 169 reviews and an average rating of 5.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Midwayrevisits a well-known story with modern special effects and a more balanced point of view, but its screenplay isn't quite ready for battle. "[30]OnMetacritic,the film has a weighted average score of 47 out of 100 based on 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[31]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while those atPostTrakgave it an average 4 out of 5 stars, with 58% saying they would definitely recommend it.[23]

Barry Hertz ofThe Globe and Mailgave the film a score of 2/4 stars, describing it as "a Second World War epic that runs a comparatively paltry 138 minutes yet feels about five times as long", concluding that the film was "a choppy bore, its main source of intrigue centred around whatever New Jersey-ese accent British actor Ed Skrein is attempting as dive bomber Richard Best."[32]Michael O'Sullivan ofThe Washington Postgave the film a score of 2.5/4 stars, saying that it "tells a story that's vividly and viscerally rendered, with all the entertainment value of a big, old-fashioned war movie", but added: "the kiss-kiss never really registers with quite the same impact as the bang-bang."[33]Wendy Ide ofThe Observergave the film a score of 2/5 stars, writing: "Every tired war movie cliche is unearthed in a film that brings nothing new but will no doubt please fans of men in uniform yelling at explosions."[34]

Paul Byrnes ofThe Sydney Morning Heraldgave the film a score of 3/5 stars, describing it as "one of [Roland Emmerich's] better films", but added: "There are a number of earlier versions to pick from, including John Ford's original 18-minute Oscar-winning documentary. We didn't need a new one, unless he had something new to say or a new way to say it. To both questions, the answer is no."[35]Owen GleibermanofVarietywrote: "The film's drama is B-movie basic. But the destructive colliding metal-on-metal inferno of what war is what makesMidwaya picture worth seeing. "[36]Kenneth Turan of theLos Angeles Timesdescribed the film as being "so square, so old-school and old-fashioned, it almost feels avant-garde", adding: "It aims to celebrate heroism, sacrifice, determination and grit, and if you don't like that it really does not care."[37]

Historical accuracy[edit]

While the film takes some artistic license, Emmerich and Tooke were both adamant about being historically accurate, andMidwayreceived praise from some combat veterans and historians for being more accurate of events thanMidway(1976) andPearl Harbor(2001).Naval History and Heritage Commanddirector and retired Navy Rear Admiral Sam Cox said: "Despite some of the 'Hollywood' aspects, this is still the most realistic movie about naval combat ever made."[38]

Several seemingly "Hollywood-ized" events depicted in the film, such asBruno Gaidosprinting into a parked plane to shoot down a crippled plane attempting to crash into theEnterprise,then getting promoted on the spot, occurred as shown, though according toUSA Today,"Gaido hid after shooting the plane down, afraid he was going to get in trouble for leaving his battle station." They had to hunt him down and bring him to Halsey ", said retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Samuel J. Cox, director of theNaval History and Heritage Command.[39]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abGleiberman, Owen (November 6, 2019)."Film Review: 'Midway'".Variety.RetrievedJune 4,2020.
  2. ^"Catalogue - Elevation Pictures".Elevation Pictures.RetrievedJuly 19,2021.
  3. ^abPamela McClintock (November 8, 2019)."Box Office: 'Midway' Downs 'Doctor Sleep' in Surprise Upset".The Hollywood Reporter.
  4. ^ab"Midway (2019)".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedJanuary 17,2020.
  5. ^"The Biggest Box Office Hits and Flops of 2019".Variety.December 23, 2019.RetrievedJuly 21,2022.
  6. ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 23, 2017)."Bona Film Group Stakes $80M On Roland Emmerich/Mark Gordon WWII Battle Pic 'Midway:' Cannes".Deadline.RetrievedMay 24,2017.
  7. ^Donnelly, Matt (October 31, 2019)."Roland Emmerich Just Made a $100 Million Indie Film. Will It Work?".Variety.
  8. ^"Navy Helps 'Midway' Film Crew Bring Battle to Life".US Department of Defense.
  9. ^Wiseman, Andreas (May 2, 2018)."Roland Emmerich's WWII Epic 'Midway' Sets Sail With Woody Harrelson, Mandy Moore & AGC Studios — Cannes Hot Pic".Deadline.RetrievedMay 4,2018.
  10. ^Kit, Borys (July 3, 2018)."Luke Evans Joins Roland Emmerich's Naval Action Movie 'Midway' (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 6,2018.
  11. ^abMarc, Christopher (July 24, 2018)."Roland Emmerich's WWII Epic 'Midway' Adds 'The Guest' Cinematographer - GWW".thegww.RetrievedJuly 24,2018.
  12. ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 8, 2018)."Patrick Wilson Boards Roland Emmerich's 'Midway'".Deadline.
  13. ^Kroll, Justin (August 9, 2018)."Ed Skrein Joins Roland Emmerich's World War II Film 'Midway' (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.
  14. ^Wiseman, Andreas (August 10, 2018)."Roland Emmerich's 'Midway' Enlists Aaron Eckhart, Nick Jonas, Tadanobu Asano, Keean Johnson, Ahead Of Fall Shoot".Deadline.
  15. ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 12, 2018)."Emmy-Nominated 'Versace' Star Darren Criss Boards Roland Emmerich's 'Midway'".Deadline.
  16. ^Kroll, Justin (September 13, 2018)."'Vikings' Star Alexander Ludwig Joins Roland Emmerich's 'Midway' (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.
  17. ^N'Duka, Amanda (September 19, 2018)."Brandon Sklenar Joins Roland Emmerich's 'Midway'; Tanner Beard Cast In 'We Summon The Darkness'".Deadline.
  18. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 5, 2018)."Roland Emmerich's WWII Epic 'Midway' To Open Veterans Day Weekend 2019".Deadline.RetrievedSeptember 6,2018.
  19. ^Barber, James (June 4, 2019)."Take a First Look at This Fall's WWII Epic 'Midway'".Military.RetrievedJune 27,2019.
  20. ^Truitt, Brian."Exclusive: Watch the first trailer for 'Midway,' Roland Emmerich's World War II epic".USA Today.
  21. ^Hemmert, Kylie (September 12, 2019)."New Midway Trailer: The Courage of a Few Will Change the Fate of the World".ComingSoon.net.RetrievedOctober 16,2019.
  22. ^Parlevliet, Mirko (September 25, 2019)."New Midway Poster: The Roland Emmerich Film Opening Nov. 8".Vital Thrills.Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2019.RetrievedOctober 16,2019.
  23. ^abcD'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2019)."How 'Doctor Sleep' Went Into A Coma At The B.O. With Dreary $14M+ Opening, Following Surprise $17M+ Attack By 'Midway' – Update".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 10,2019.
  24. ^"Midway DVD Release Date February 18, 2020".
  25. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 6, 2019)."'Doctor Sleep' Eyes $25M-$30M Box Office Start, Will Turn Out Lights On 'Terminator: Dark Fate'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 6,2019.
  26. ^abMcNary, Denis (November 8, 2019)."Box Office: 'Midway' Could Defeat 'Doctor Sleep' With $21 Million".Variety.RetrievedNovember 8,2019.
  27. ^Rubin, Rebecca (November 10, 2019)."'Midway' Defeats 'Doctor Sleep' in Surprise Box Office Upset ".Variety.RetrievedNovember 27,2019.
  28. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 17, 2019)."'Ford v Ferrari' Cruising To $30M+, 'Charlie's Angels' Kicked Out Of Heaven With $8M+ Start ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  29. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 24, 2019)."'Frozen 2' Thaws Frigid B.O. Marketplace With $130M+, Smashing November Animated Pic Opening Records ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 24,2019.
  30. ^"Midway (2019)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
  31. ^"Midway (2019) Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedMay 7,2021.
  32. ^Hertz, Barry (November 6, 2019)."Review: Choppy and clichéd Second World War epic Midway waves the white flag of defeat".The Globe and Mail.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  33. ^O'Sullivan, Michael (November 6, 2019)."Review | 'Midway' is a big, old-fashioned war movie, with one thing missing: human beings".The Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  34. ^Ide, Wendy (November 10, 2019)."Midway review – sinks like a depth charge".The Guardian.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  35. ^Byrnes, Paul (January 29, 2020)."Midway review: More action distraction than history".The Sydney Morning Herald.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  36. ^Gleiberman, Owen (November 6, 2019)."Film Review: 'Midway'".Variety.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  37. ^Turan, Kenneth (November 7, 2019)."Review: 'Midway' celebrates heroism with an old-fashioned approach to the epic war drama".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedOctober 7,2021.
  38. ^Johnny Brayson (November 6, 2019)."This Historically Accurate WWII Movie Is The Anti-'Pearl Harbor'".Bustle.RetrievedJuly 10,2020.
  39. ^Bryan Alexander (February 15, 2020)."How accurate is Roland Emmerich's WWII movie starring Nick Jonas?".USA Today.RetrievedJuly 10,2020.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Midway_(2019_film)&oldid=1235134802"