Robin Gordon: I have never seen a war movie so real and empowering. I cannot fault this one in any way.

Reyaaz Hassan: Hearing all about and expecting the most shocking and graphic first 30 minutes of a war movie, may have placed a damper on my appreciation - the hand held camera, bullets under water and basically the entire shoot em up editing was excellent - excellence we've come to expect from Spielberg - but in terms of shock value I'd give a higher rating to the 20 minute boot camp beginning to Full Metal Jacket - Overall the movie is extremely satisfying - plenty of gut wrenching and tear jerking moments - especially Lincolns letter and Mother Ryans surreal realisation of the sad news - A must see of 1998.

Nick Soper: The war movie to end all other war movies. What an amazing movie, but definitely not for those with a weak stomach! And, as was the case with ''Starship Troopers'', the age restriction advertised for ''Saving Private Ryan'' was WAY off. PG10 my @$$!

Jeanne Rossouw: Very good story.

Warren Radloff: First and formost a war movie. Very honest and realistic.

Aruana Zeelie: I was so looking forward to this movie. Yes, the first 25 minutes are gruesome, but excellent. I was amazed. Tom Hanks again proves he's one of the best. The rest of the cast was great. This was NOT a Matt Damon movie - although he wasn't bad. Spielberg had cast him before the ''Good Will Hunting'' hoopla. Edward Burns and Tom Sizemore are becoming two of my most favourite actors. The cinematography was amazing. Speilberg's done it again. Expect a lot of Oscar nominations.

Dorothy Chambers: Some very bloody scenes but overall a real eye opener to the horror of war.

Carien Landman: Very good.

David Easterling: Stunning photography and brilliantly directed sequences portraying the terror and brutality of war. But does the unarguable realism of the action sequences and the excellence of the acting make up for a story line that it, to put it mildly, contrived and unconvincing? Not to mention the All-American jingoism. And at the end of the day, what is the message supposed to be? That war is unpleasant and people get killed? Surely we all know that already. A good film, perhaps a very good film, but a long way from being a masterpiece.

Prince Moyo: Excellent, typical Spielberg.

Sue Watt: Amazing

Leon Potgieter: Steven and Tom are still the best.

Debbie Booysen: Apparently I am the only person who does not think that this is the best movie ever. The battle scenes are much too long, and the whole movie is just so damn sentimental. I must say that I absolutely hated it.