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Expected more

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

What to say... this is not an ordinary war movie, nor generic Russian war movie (loads of nonsense plus even more loads of nonsense patriotism). This is rather "experience" movie, more or less a clutter of incomprehensible scenes that do not have much of a sense. It does not have any sense at all if you have not watched the "first part" directly before this movie. Even if you watched it, it is still very incomplete story that does not even have proper ending (fate of all the characters are somehow open, potentially allowing the next movie).Incoherent story really makes this movie a mess. The CGI effects are totally out of place - the scene where "the Stukas" do attack the cars are so completely wrong in so many ways - the planes fly way too low, they are observably smaller than they should be and the effects of bombs are nonexistent. The scene with the "attack of the citadel" belongs to the horror comedy - seriously it looks like some scene of the "Final Destination". It might be somewhat fun as a parody but it simply does not belong to the more serious movie. Combat scenes are generally very poor.This movie is basically incomprehensible for anyone who is not Russian. It is a pile of Russian emotions that somewhat prevents the heroes from behaving in any logical manner. If you are interested in Russian mentality and its unique mix of sentiment, brutality, warmth and ruthlessness it might be interesting to you. It might be of value for some Russian TV channel but as a general movie in the world context it sucks horribly. I'm really really really disappointed by it.

It reminds me of Apocalypse Now. Both Kutz and Kotov live through the horror of war. Yet Kutz succumbs to it, turns into an animal and has to die. The beauty of this film is in the character of Kotov, who in spite of the "burns" remains a human being. Just like in Part 1 "Exodus", here the pictures, the scenes and characters are wonderful. This is not a historical drama nor is it an action film. In those categories film does not rate. But as an art of cinematography this is a masterpiece. For me part one "Exodus" as well as "Apocalypse Now" is a study of how we the humans face and make inhumane action of war. Part Two "Citadel" is about how we the humans win the war by remaining human.

I don't understand why Mikhalkov's own people are being so unfair with this "celovekh". They want to smash not only his fingers but also his lifetime work which is impossible.This final chapter is brilliant. All the pieces are put together by a master painter. The light in the dacha contrasting with the light in the same "dacha" from the first movie, the torment suffered by the characters, the joy and the sadness of the people touched or mutilated by the war and finally the immense Russian light blue sky...all contribute to an amazing picture.I don't judge this movie historically even if I have read over a hundred books about the terrible war on the Eastern Front. I love the very soul of this movie. Mikhalkov does not created another sequel, he managed to create another movie which cannot be measured in IMDb stars...So ignore the rating and enjoy the ride...on the back of Kotov's horse.

Just from the theater... Wow! i'm so grateful for Mr.Mikhalkov that he has completed one of his best works. "Burnt by the sun" consists of three parts and you should watch from the first part to understand the whole story in details. each scene of the sequel is a small movie in the movie and these different scenes form a very detailed sensational EXPERIENCE of the Stalin's tyranny and the Great Patriotic War for the Soviet people. Like i said before, there is no sense to look for documentary strictness in this _fictional_ war story but what an amazing intrinsic truth of the war and the tyranny in this movie! This picture shows to a viewer what a man is and how easy to break and manipulate anybody with fear. or, for example,if you want an answer to a question: "why, in the the end, the Soviets won that war?" watch the final scene with a Russian old woman defending a mind-sick German soldier... however its better to watch the whole "Burnt by the sun" from the beginning to the end in one take for yourself.