“Enemy At The Gates” is a terrific war movie that combines the large-scale battle sequences with a one-on-one conflict. Based on a true story, it really is one of the most impressive war films I’ve seen and a lot better than “American Sniper” and that’s really saying something.

In “Enemy At The Gates”, Soviet sniper Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law “Spy”, “Hugo”) finds himself becoming a leading propaganda figure during World War II. It isn’t long before Nazi Germany send in another highly talented sniper (Ed Harris “The Abyss”, “The Rock”) and the two find themselves playing a deadly game of cat-and-mouse… whoever loses is destined to go to an unmarked grave.

Jude Law does a good job as Vassili; he makes the character seem believable. Ed Harris is very good as the sort-of villain of the picture. Both characters show a kind-of respect for one another and both understand that each other is doing what they’re doing for their country. I like how the conflict between these two guys is taking place during the chaos of World War II as the fight for Stalingrad rages on. Rachel Weisz (“The Mummy”), Joseph Fiennes (“Shakespeare In Love”) and Bob Hoskins (“Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”) are all good in supporting roles.

“Enemy At The Gates” is beautifully filmed at points. It is highly intense in both the big battles and during the sniping sections and that’s why it is so great. The sort-of love triangle between Vassili and the characters played by Joseph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz is interesting and Ed Harris provides a very good performance. I just loved this film from beginning to end; it is the type of war film and arguably the type of film in general, I think we should see a lot more of. Great performances, great intensity and a great narrative make “Enemy At The Gates” truly special.