Midway Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

America decodes some messages, then some planes go boom and Japan loses, but not before they ruin a perfectly good Hawaiian vacation.

🍿 Midway: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage: Pearl Harbor and Early Tensions

The film opens in 1937, depicting early discussions between US Naval attaché Edwin Layton and Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, foreshadowing future conflict over Pacific dominance and resource control. The film then swiftly transitions to the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which propels the United States into World War II. The attack reveals intelligence failures and sets the stage for a command shake-up with Admiral Chester Nimitz assuming leadership of the Pacific Fleet.

Intelligence and Early Retaliation

Following Pearl Harbor, the focus shifts to intelligence gathering and the US Navy’s efforts to strike back. Admiral Nimitz tasks Layton to provide accurate intel, emphasizing the need to avoid another surprise attack. The film showcases the attack on the Marshall Islands, highlighting the bravery of American pilots amidst challenges with faulty ammunition. These early actions demonstrate the US resolve despite significant setbacks.

The Doolittle Raid and the Coral Sea

The daring Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, while militarily minor, provides a significant morale boost for the US and prompts Japan to focus on securing the Coral Sea. The Battle of the Coral Sea results in the loss of a US carrier, leaving only the Enterprise and Hornet available. This sets the stage for a critical showdown, with limited resources, to defend Midway Atoll.

Decoding the Japanese Plan

Crucially, Joseph Rochefort and his team of codebreakers at Pearl Harbor intercept Japanese messages, identifying “AF” as the target. Layton convinces Nimitz that “AF” is Midway, not the Aleutians. To confirm, they use a clever ruse, instructing Midway to send a false message about a water shortage. When Japanese communications confirm the water shortage on “AF”, Nimitz prepares an ambush.

The Battle of Midway

On June 4, 1942, the Japanese launch their attack on Midway. Initial US attempts to strike the Japanese fleet fail. A US submarine, Nautilus, attacks an enemy carrier but misses. As US carrier planes search for the Japanese fleet, Commander Wade McClusky spots a Japanese destroyer, Arashi, and correctly deduces it is returning to the main fleet, leading the US planes to the Japanese carriers.

Devastating Strikes

As the Japanese rearm their planes for an anti-ship strike, US dive bombers arrive, catching the Japanese carriers at their most vulnerable. Enterprise squadron commanders McClusky and Dick Best lead devastating attacks, destroying the Kaga and Akagi. Planes from the Yorktown destroy the Soryu. However, the Hiryu launches a counterattack, bombing and disabling the Yorktown.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dick Best (Ed Skrein): A hotshot dive bomber pilot who played a crucial role in sinking Japanese carriers during the Battle of Midway.
• Edwin Layton (Patrick Wilson): The intelligent and determined intelligence officer who accurately predicted the location and timing of the Japanese attack on Midway.
• Chester W. Nimitz (Woody Harrelson): The calm and decisive commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet who made the strategic decisions that led to victory at Midway.
• Isoroku Yamamoto (Etsushi Toyokawa): The strategic, yet ultimately flawed, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor and Midway.
• Chuichi Nagumo (Jun Kunimura): The commander of the Japanese carrier fleet at Midway whose critical decisions contributed to the Japanese defeat.
• Wade McClusky (Luke Evans): The Air Group Commander who made a crucial decision to alter course, leading to the discovery and attack on the Japanese fleet at Midway.
• William ‘Bull’ Halsey (Dennis Quaid): The tenacious commander whose absence due to illness indirectly led to Spruance’s command during the Battle of Midway.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edwin Layton: “They represent our best guess based on the intelligence that we have.” – Layton defends the intelligence estimates to Spruance, highlighting the uncertainty in predicting enemy actions.
• Chester W. Nimitz: “I understand that we’re asking the impossible but we need you to be specific.” – Nimitz presses Layton for precise predictions of the Japanese attack, emphasizing the critical need for actionable intelligence.
• Edwin Layton: “The Japanese will attack on the morning of June 4th from the northwest at a bearing of 325 degrees. They will be sighted 175 miles from Midway at 0700 local time.” – Layton delivers the specific intelligence forecast, demonstrating the power of codebreaking and analysis.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $56,846,802
• Worldwide Gross: $127,390,389

💥 Midway Reviews

Personal Review

As a fan of WWII films, I found Midway to be a mixed bag. The aerial combat scenes were thrilling and visually impressive, but I felt like the characters were a bit underdeveloped and the dialogue was cheesy at times. The scene where Dick Best makes his daring dive bomb run on the Hiryu really had me on the edge of my seat. Overall, it’s an entertaining film if you’re not expecting a deeply nuanced historical drama. I’d recommend it for a fun, action-packed viewing experience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of war movies”
  • “History buffs, especially those interested in World War II”
  • “Viewers interested in naval aviation”
  • “Those seeking action-packed historical dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence and combat scenes”
  • “Depiction of the Pearl Harbor attack”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While striving for historical accuracy, *Midway* unfortunately gets bogged down in excessive CGI and a predictable narrative, failing to truly capture the heroism of the real-life events.
• IGN: “Midway delivers impressive aerial combat sequences but suffers from underdeveloped characters and a reliance on CGI that occasionally detracts from the emotional impact of the story.
• Common Sense Media: “*Midway* offers a visually spectacular but somewhat sanitized version of the Battle of Midway, providing a decent introduction to this important historical event for teens but lacking depth and nuance.

Audience Reactions

The aerial combat sequences were exhilarating and visually stunning, capturing the intensity of the battle.: Most viewers enjoyed the film’s action and appreciated its attempt at historical accuracy.

Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Admiral Nimitz was a standout, bringing a sense of calm and authority to the role.: The casting choices were generally well-received, with many praising the performances of the lead actors.

Overall Consensus: Midway delivers thrilling aerial combat and attempts historical accuracy, but is hampered by underdeveloped characters, cheesy dialogue and over-reliance on CGI; a decent popcorn flick for action fans.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in various locations, including Hawaii, but principal photography took place primarily in Montreal, Canada, allowing the filmmakers to control the environment and production design more effectively.”
• “To maintain historical accuracy, the production team consulted with numerous historians and technical advisors, ensuring the depiction of naval warfare and aircraft was as authentic as possible.”
• “Roland Emmerich aimed to create a more respectful and accurate portrayal of the Battle of Midway compared to previous film adaptations, focusing on the strategic decisions and human stories from both the American and Japanese perspectives.”

🖥️ How to Watch Midway?

Midway (2019) is available for streaming and purchase on multiple platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check listings as availability may vary by region. You may also find physical copies (Blu-ray/DVD) available for purchase from online retailers like Amazon or at local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Midway, you might like these similar films:

• Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970): Provides a detailed, balanced view of the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor from both the American and Japanese perspectives, similar to Midway’s approach.
• Pearl Harbor (2001): Covers the same historical events leading up to World War II in the Pacific, although with a greater focus on romantic drama.
• Unbroken (2014): Focuses on the resilience and fortitude of American servicemen during World War II, particularly those who faced extreme adversity as prisoners of war.
• Darkest Hour (2017): Explores the leadership decisions and strategic challenges faced by Winston Churchill during the early days of World War II, mirroring Nimitz’s role in Midway.

🛒 Midway Related Products

• Midway (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital): Own the epic WWII story in stunning 4K resolution with enhanced audio and visuals. Features behind-the-scenes footage and director’s commentary.
• Revell USS Enterprise Model Kit: Build your own replica of the legendary aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Great scale model that featured in the movie.
• Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault: Experience the intensity of the Pacific Theater in this classic WWII first-person shooter. Includes a mission inspired by the Battle of Midway.
• Midway Movie Poster (24×36): High-quality print of the official movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater or office.

🎧 Soundtrack

Midway features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Getting Some Fun Out of Life” – performed by Ana Maria Lombo
• “Midway Main Title” – performed by Harald Kloser, Thomas Wanker

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Midway From The Japanese Perspective

Get ready to see the Battle of Midway from the eyes of the Japanese! This video takes you through the key moments from their perspective, giving you a whole new understanding of this pivotal conflict.

U.S. Pilot Scores a Direct Hit on Carrier Hiryu

See how a daring dive bomber attack by a U.S. pilot played a crucial role in turning the tide of the Battle of Midway.

Battle of Midway Tactical Overview – World War II | History

Dive into the tactical genius behind the Battle of Midway! This video from the History channel breaks down the key strategies and maneuvers that determined the outcome of this epic clash.

This Event Is Actually 100% Accurately Depicted in MIDWAY… – #shorts #short

Prepare to be amazed! This short clip reveals a scene in the movie ‘Midway’ that is spot-on accurate to real life. It’s a testament to the filmmakers’ dedication to historical authenticity.

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