The overly saturated war genre is increasingly becoming over populated with a variety of differing wars every year. For a film to differentiate itself, it has to be memorable. Whether it be jaw-dropping sequences, astute direction or gorgeous cinematography. Unfortunately, The Wall is far too stripped back and consequently loses its cinematic scope. An American soldier is stuck behind a wall as a rogue sniper attempts to shoot him. A fierce mind battle that will test the limitations of one's survival abilities and psychological skills. The methodology and creativity utilised to investigate the location of the sniper, whilst adrenaline is pumping, remained interesting throughout. Time delays from the bullet hitting and the sound of its release to acknowledging the background noise of the sniper as he communicates with the soldier. To remain innovative at a pure moment of survival is what makes soldiers human. They aren't machines, they are mortal beings. Johnson gives an excellent central performance conveying bravery and desperation. Cena was fine, but as Johnson is on screen for the majority of the short runtime, the focus is purely on him. That's about it unfortunately. It's essentially 'Phone Booth' with the aesthetic appeal of modern warfare. The story lacks thrills. It's structure, cinematography and Liman's direction are so basic that any moment of suspense dissipates immediately. The pace becomes so stagnated that boredom settles in. Marred with several idiotic plot conveniences, the narrative relies too heavily on unimaginative devices. Accidentally laying on a radio, a brick crushing a finger and the sniper who coincidentally knows pretty much everything about the solider. Only to culminate to an incredibly rushed final ten minute sequence that then ends on a cliffhanger. Except the lack of thrills and tension results in an unwanted and unnecessary cliffhanger. I appreciate Liman's stripped back environment and directorial efforts but the film went no where and crumbled.

Wow. That was stupid. It does keep hold of your interest throughout the film while keeping you wondering why the main character Issac keeps making rookie mistakes. They had to make him a back woods sounding soldier too right? Because that's how every country thinks about American soldiers. I thought it was somewhat ok until the end, then it all went to hell with the promo for Isis. I am drawn to war movies, being a veteran myself, but this is just ridiculously wrong in so many ways.

In between 2014's brilliant Sci-Fi romp Edge of Tomorrow and last year's underrated thriller American Made, director Doug Liman took a detour to the more sombre space of movie-making and directed this character driven Iraq based thriller about two rival snipers trapped in a life or death battle in the harsh surrounds of the middle-eastern dust bowl.Forgoing his usual hand-held frenetic style of filmmaking, Liman has clearly tried to find his films thrills in other ways with The Wall but this small ensemble piece that largely focuses its time on Aaron Taylor-Johnson's wounded American solider Isaac as he enters into a battle of wits and sharp shooting with the never seen, only heard Iraq sniper "The Ghost" is in dire need of more pulse pounding action as we begin to realise that Johnson hiding behind a wall for an hour is only going to take us so far in the entertainment stakes.There's certainly nothing wrong with films forgoing the grand-scale to instead focus on the tension of a small-scale life or death event (Buried springs to mind, even the epic Das Boot) but Liman's film struggles to maintain its initial intriguing set-up as the bullets stop flying and the so-so nature of what Liman is trying to achieve starts taking full effect.Having The Ghost communicate and taunt Isaac as the two spar over a radio as Isaac's comrade Matthew's lay motionless before him (John Cena fans should look elsewhere to see their beloved ex-wrestler ply his acting chops) can only take the film so far and while Liman is trying to show the two sides of the war and those that fight in it there are better ways to tell both sides of the story.Unusually also for a Liman film, The Wall's action is second rate and with the tension deflated by long and arduous sections of Isaac looking at a trash heap or The Ghost quoting Edgar Allen Poe poems, even when things ramp up a notch it's not enough to make The Wall worth your time even with a committed Taylor-Johnson trying his best with a role that didn't exactly provide him with the best of material to work with.Final Say - What could've been a white-knuckle battle of wits and survival instincts instead ends up being a bit of a dust-filled bore. It's nice to see Liman try his hand at something a little different to his usual repertoire but The Wall is neither exciting enough or smart enough to recommend, while it's misguided ending makes the whole experience that much more frustrating upon reflection.2 bags of Skittles out of 5

A decent war movie with a single soldier in lead. The scriptwriter has used the "F" word countless times. There are many errors but still a good movie to watch.