a different perspective. less heroic. more human. about fragility, friendship, errors, sacrifice and the importance of the other. a film about men in middle of terror. and about war. not as example of blockbuster's subject, not as fresco of cruelty and victories, far by romantic nuances or dark circles. only a honest picture about few men looking survive. a film who reminds a sort of innocence and force and courage and old fashion support for be in real, deep sense , yourself. one of Russian films who are not an artistic success but a story about life who defines things, events, sacrifice and purpose of facts in different, nuanced light.

It's one of the best Russian movies about the war!The movie is great,it breaks all records in Russia.It became the most popular movie in Russia ever!!!I mean it has collected more than 20 millions$ in just 2 weeks.And there is a good sign that it will approach 30 millions$ or even more!!!Definitely this movie will go down in History!The shooting was perfect,it was very well done.Actors play is honest,vivid,sincere and touching.What strikes me most is the realism of this movie.Actors portray their characters as realistic as it possible.They perfectly manage to show us the real war atmosphere with all its horror and brutality. So if you want to see a real war movie,with a real war actions, you must see it!!!!I give all my respect to the creators of this fantastic movie and wish it could climb over 40 millions$ because this movie deserves it,it made a big stir in Russia and i wish it will be soon recognized and respectively appreciated in other countries.The point of this movie is not to show the audience the power a heroism of Russian army,but to make people realize what a terrible consequences may the war lead to,and what it can turn into people life's.This movie simply demonstrates us the inanity and bloodiness of the war.

I was born and raised in Poland (until I was 18) and came to US 23 years ago. The reason WHY I mention it upfront is to make it understood that I viewed this film from the "Communist" and "Capitalist" perspective/indoctrination... and I didn't like anything about this movie. There is nothing original about the movie. There is nothing compelling (to me) about this movie. Just a very poor re-cycling of old Hollywoody clichés (like the helicopter raising behind a heroic soldier... or a reprimanded commander who is itching to get back in the fight, but who is prohibited from doing so). The scene where "the commander" is sitting in the field of red-poppy-seeds crying - is just such unsophisticated and clichedy scene that it evolved laughter in me instead of compassion which no doubt the director was shooting for. If you really want to see Russian war drama, a real tension, than nothing beats the old and tested "Seventeen Moments of Spring".

Aside from some beautiful heli shots, the entire movie was a complete waste of time. It is possibly the slowest moving movie I have ever seen, and the climax is anything but. For those of you who love to watch anything related to war (I am not one), there are MUCH better movies out there depicting recruits. Hardcore military fanatics who have seen every war movie ever made might watch it for the unique Russian take, but ultimately it's just so dry it's painful to watch.Save your life and do something else with your time.