The Last Full Measure Movie Review

The Last Full Measure (2019)

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Written by: Todd Robinson
Directed by: Todd Robinson
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Fonda, LisaGay Hamilton, Diane Ladd, Michael Imperioli, Bradley Whitford
Rated: R
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Plot
Thirty-four years after his death, Airman William H. "Pits" Pitsenbarger is awarded the nation's highest military honor for his actions on the battlefield.

Verdict
Most of this movie is stilted as we're told about a soldier's brave rescue in the face of battle, but we don't see it. The lack of action leaves this wanting, but near the end this starts to come together as we see soldiers' reflections on their past and the war. This format provides a reflection on the past, something an action movie can't do but the cost is hoping for something more through most of this movie.
It depends.

Review
Most of this movie is Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan) talking to Vietnam veteran to get the story about  William H. Pitsenbarger, Pits. Scott doesn't relish the job but soon becomes enthralled by this story of bravery. Through flashbacks we see bits and pieces of what happened during Operation Abilene. We only get bits of what soldiers recall, memories they had long since buried.

Sebastian Stan plays Scott Huffman

Jeremy Irvine plays William H. Pitsenbarger

It's a tribute movie to Vietnam veterans, but due to the format of flashbacks it tempers the action and intensity. This tells a lot more than it shows, but everything starts to come together at the end. Scott begins to fight for Pits to receive the Medal of Honor. He even sacrifices his own career for what is right. That's what this comes down to, doing the right thing through any adversity.

While stilted, this gets better as it ramps up to the end. We get to see a range of emotions from the soldiers Scott interviews as they reflect on that time and reconcile their emotions. While I wished this to be more action based through most of the movie, this format provide a reflection on that time. An action movie wouldn't have allowed that. It takes a bit too long, but when this comes together it's impactful.