Tom Cruise Fails to Convince in Sluggish 'Valkyrie'

Dec. 27, 2008 — -- "Valkyrie" is a World War II thriller without enough thrills.

The story, based on a real-life attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, starts slowly and then takes off about halfway in. But even during scenes of intense action, the visually slick production is only minimally engrossing.

One of the most misguided aspects is casting Tom Cruise in the lead role. While the supporting cast includes some of the best European — mainly British — actors in strong performances, Cruise is unconvincing and stiff as the disenchanted Col. Claus von Stauffenberg. With his modern Yank-speak, Cruise sounds disturbingly American, detracting substantially from a believable portrayal of a German officer.

Though the other military brass involved — played by Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branaugh, Terence Stamp, Bill Nighy and Eddie Izzard — are believable, none of the characters are well-developed. It's hard to feel the requisite understanding or compassion for any of the players since we know so little about them.

The near-miss assassination plan, which involves Stauffenberg transporting a bomb in a suitcase, was an ambitious effort by a group of rebel officers. The action becomes more engrossing during the film's second half, but one expects more depth and nuance, given its pedigree. Director Bryan Singer and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie last teamed up on the intriguing, multifaceted "The Usual Suspects" from 1995.

With "Valkyrie," they have taken an inherently intriguing plot and streamlined it into oblivion.