'Flags' flies high

In "Flags of Our Fathers," a World War II film adapted from the John Bradley novel, Clint Eastwood makes a time piece that portrays the feelings and mindset of the greatest generation in American history. The movie does an excellent job of paying homage to the men and women who gave their lives to preserve our way of life, as it shows the soldiers in a glorious light. However, the movie also shows the ugly side of the war and the propaganda that went along with the most iconic image of the 20th century. But no matter what Eastwood is trying to express, he makes a powerful, evoking film that captures the spirit and character of the men and women fighting in the most important war of the 20th century.\n"Flags" is based around the lives of three of the six men who were captured in Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of the flag being hoisted on top Mount Suribachi in the Battle of Iwo Jima. These soldiers, who were actually in a second, staged raising of the flag, are thrown into the spotlight as they are used as heroes to raise money for the war. The three men, John Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford) and Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), are all captured in different lights, but they are all glorified for their humility and character. \nGagnon, a Marine, embraces the spotlight in an attempt to secure himself a future after the war. Hayes, the tragic hero of the story, feels guilty about being used as propaganda for the war and longs to be back on the battlefield with his fellow soldiers. As an American Indian, he is bruised by racism and numbs himself of the pain with alcohol. Beach, who plays Hayes, puts forth the most compelling performance of the movie and is deserving of an Oscar, yet unfortunately didn't manage to snag even a nomination. Bradley, a Navy medic, plays the most reserved role of the three but serves as the centerpiece of the movie.\nOn the other hand, the movie's special features are, well, nonexistent. The movie has literally no special features, not even a commentary. This was done maybe with the thought that this movie could stand on its own, with nothing extra needed. So if you want a well-directed war memoir, buy this DVD, but don't expect anything more than just the movie.