1917 Review: 9 Ups & 1 Down

Ups...

9. Roger Deakins' Oscar-Worthy Cinematography

Arguably the real MVP of 1917 is legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, whose eye-melting lensing work gives the film most of its jaw-dropping visual identity.

Handed the gargantuan task of designing the film's visuals to resemble a single continuous shot - achieved by digitally blending smaller takes into a whole - Deakins' mastery of the cinematic space has arguably never been more palpable.

Even away from the "single take" gimmick, Deakins lights the hell out of every single moment in the movie, be it a potentially drab dialogue in a field or a haunting showdown in a burning village.

Deakins is guaranteed to receive his 15th Oscar nomination for his work on the film, and it'd be shocking if he didn't also scoop his second Oscar.

It's the most technically impressive photography in any film this year by a long shot, and really helps make 1917 stand out from its genre familiars.