Writer: Dzamira Dzafri

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Watch this if you liked: "Inglourious Basterds", "The Pacific" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Just like George Clooney's character Frank says about himself, he's "not just a pretty face". It seems that whatever movie he touches turns to gold nowadays, whether it's hanging around in space with Sandra Bullock or directing and starring in this film with passion and interest in the topics it addresses.

The fact that "The Monuments Men" was based on a true biography about the near end of World War 2 and that the mission the main character had was to save the world's greatest art pieces was good enough to draw the reviewer in.

The world rarely remembers what had happened to the famous art pieces Hitler tried to take for himself, and it was unthinkable to wonder what it'll be like if the Monuments Men themselves hadn't given their time and their lives to save the many art pieces we would be able to see today.

Starring many, many, many great and favorite actors like Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin and Cate Blanchett, the film was practically overly star studded and filled with people who seem like they are already great friends in real life.

The topic of art and war merging is strange and barely touched in Hollywood, mainly because of how stereotypically manly it is to be talking about war, or how feminine it is to be talking about art, but from the point of view of an actor and director who appreciates art, someone should have touched on this topic ages ago.

If you're into fast paced, action stories, you're not looking at the right place, but this movie does feature some brilliant performances, mainly by Cate Blanchett and comedic chemistry between the rest of the actors. It also gives you a good appreciation of art history and war culture, and how interesting it can be for a war biography to be portrayed on the big screen.

Though there was something missing that didn't fulfill a five-star quota, but it was minuscule things like some scenes that were dragged a little bit longer than we had hoped for, or scenes that were supposed to be emotional, but it wasn't hitting us hard enough. It is unfair to say that there wasn't enough emotion because there were some sad scenes that will blow you away.

Clooney's strong suits, weirdly enough, are the charming funny bits in the film that didn't take up so much space for you to wonder if it is a comedy, but enough to make you fall in love with the characters.

It wasn't entirely perfect, but it was very enjoyable for the reviewer and it will be to those who appreciate art, history and attractive older actors.

Cinema Online, 18 February 2014