This movie is arguably Eastwood's best film yet. This is the first war movie (other than Saving Private Ryan) that gave me a real perspective of what savage, gritty war was truly like. It really makes one feel like they're really in the trenches of hell, patriotically fighting for their country. This movie is significantly better than Flags of Our Fathers, (If you haven't seen it, don't bother; it was terrible) as it gave you what not just Americans were going through, but how the Japanese were feeling as the great war raged on. The plot summary of this movie is basically about a young Japanese man's struggle through the battle for Iwo Jima. The visual effects and graphics absolutely astounded me: I loved every minute of it. While this is an incredible movie, there are many, many intense sequences of strong, bloody war violence. The violence is far stronger and bloodier than most war movies I've seen, which is really the only thing parents should be concerned about. The most graphic that parents should be cautioned about are the following: -A horse is seen lying down in it's stable; a nasty wound is seen on his chest. -A man is seen standing from the back view, perfectly normal. when the camera shifts to his frontal view, you see his graphically injured face. (A ton of skin lose or fallen off, a portion of his bloody cheekbones are visable, disturbed tissue is seen protruding from his face, and it's bloody and abhorrent all over) -Many disturbing instances of Japanese soldiers engulfed in flames, violently shot down, and multiple, nasty wounds from explosions. -Many people die from dysentery, nothing is shown, but it is hinted and mild symptoms appear throughout. (Near volmiting, queezyness, etc.) -Many horrific explosions resulting in dismembered Japanese bodies flying through the air and falling on soldiers below. -A man's arm stump is graphically shown with blood spurting out, his bloody arm laying on the ground in front of him with stringy gore protruding from the arm. -In a cave a group of Japanese soldiers commit scuicide using grenades. When they blow themselves up, the gory aftermath is briefly shown for about 2 seconds, and you can see the full set of dismembered and disemboweled bodies in a shot for about 5 seconds. -A man commits scuicide by putting a pistol to his temple and shooting himself. The body is not seen, but a decent amount of blood spurts onto another Japanese soldier's face. (The scuicides are to be honorable; they aren't scuicidal maniacs) -A small group of American soldiers surround a meek Japanese soldier. They start questioning him, not really caring if they got an answer at all and ruthlessy beating the sense out of him. They impale him multiple times; blood splatters on the walls. He screams horribly and they finally jab the gun blade into his neck. While this is very bloody and disturbing, only the shadows of what's happening are visable. -A man loses an eye while fighting; you can see his eye socket for an extremely brief period of time. -A man commits scuicide by putting a shotgun to his head. The scuicide is offscreen, but you can hear the gunshot. It's implied that he killed himself. -Many other strong, violent scenes involving honorable scuicide, graphic violence, and disturbing images; not a film for children. Overall, this is an excellently executed film. The acting is impeccible, the storyline is amazing, and it's just an all-out brilliant film. If you love a good movie with a brilliant story line, amazing acting, and can handle graphic violence, this is the film for you.

I take no sides in any war- Japan did attack Pearl Harbor, yet what the US did was inhuman as well (Hiroshima, Nagasaki, the bombing of Tokyo, Osaka, and many other large cities and towns). This breaks away from the American war film stereotype of soldiers yelling and cussing as they mindlessly kill their opponents with no respect at all. However, they do make the Americans seem a little inhuman, yet this is forgivable since many Americans had this same perspective, feeling the Japanese were savages since they did not have some of the technology and traditions as the US. There are mixed plots in this movie. One of the main soldiers is fighting for his pregnant wife back home, and the general is only fighting because he has to under the law, even though he likes the Americans. Others, however, just want to see the Americans die or go back home. The role models can easily be seen, as the general and Saigo-sama. (I add Sama to show respect even though he is fictional. Same to the general.) besides violence, this movie is amazing and sad with great acting and the effect of utter realness. Lastly- the whole suicide deal. I have compaired Asian culture to American, so suicide for honor is not unusual to me and I understand it. But, most people in the US/ or other places where suicide is a taboo, this will be obscene and shocking and will make many people think even less about the Japanese People, so watch for that.

I saw this, and thought it was an excelent. I am not squeamish, so any violent effects don't bother me. The only part I didn't like was the part where the Japanesse torture and kill a U.S Marine. I think if you are o.k with blood and gore, and don't have an issue with repeating swear words, you can see it. I thought it was a powerful and well-made film. (please excuse my spelling)

I love WWll movies, and this is very close to being my all time favorite. Eastwood has done it yet again.