Catch-22
First of all, I have never read the book, though the book has always meant something to me; I’ve always wanted to read it and now there is a part of me who is scared that it might disappoint me.
In many respects, the film sort of disappointed me. Just like with certain science-fiction books, or screwball comedies, for that matter, I do have very high expectations when it comes to a war satire. “Dr. Strangelove” sets the benchmark and even Kubrick himself made two other great ones (namely “Full Metal Jacket” and “Paths of Glory”), but something with “Catch-22” just didn’t really click. They have a few amazingly funny scenes (although unfortunately they are dragging the Catch-22 joke for a little bit too long) and the main character is very likable.
But what else? There were quite a few scenes I didn’t understand; the multitude of flashbacks became annoying very quickly and ultimately, unlike what I would have normally expected from Mike Nichols, the movie was just not very well made. Something technical seems to be lacking here a little, though I cannot pinpoint what it really is. In the end, I probably have to go back to the book after all.