USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage

This slapdash war movie doesn't do justice to its compelling subject matter.

Not exactly unwatchable, but it's also completely not worthy of watching.

The film's leaden treatment of this incredible story somehow sucks all the drama out of it.

The script by Cam Cannon and co-producer Richard Rionda Del Castro is frustratingly unfocused, jumping from incident to incident while using Cage's flat, whispered narration to fill the gaps.

Every expense has been spared: The sets are either claustrophobically limited or anonymously empty; the period detail is nonexistent; and the special effects are on par with a Syfy original.

Nicolas Cage headlines this lethargic, chintzy retelling of the tragedy that befell the USS Indianapolis during World War II.

We get to experience this incredible story, starring so many of our local folks and landmarks, on the big screen.

Cage remains uncharacteristically subdued in the lead role. Or perhaps I'm misinterpreting his complete boredom.

One can't help but be mortified for Cage. A bargain-basement would-be WW2 epic with hilariously poor CGI and an abysmal script.

As a dramatic postscript to the factors that led to Japanese surrender, its power and importance are undeniable.