User reviews

Because the film is shot on a relatively small budget, then many things can not be fully disclosed because of a lack of money. For example: the battle for the New Terminal and other clashes with the terrorists. As for what does not depend on the big money, this is a story which is very good, and especially the dialogue of the actors is so lively that they deserve 10 points. Operator work in places is lame, but the picture itself is very good. The film makes you think after watching because of its multi-faceted, because in the dialogs you can agree with all the characters in the film. For those who do not know the details of the conflict between Ukrainian troops and terrorists and Russian military, the film may seem unsaid, but you can also watch documentaries on the theme of the Donetsk airport. In the Ukrainian cinematograph this is one of the best records made in the history of independence. I advise you to view it all, very deep dialogues and a story about real Ukrainian heroes.

Ukrainian and russian are not the same language. And while we can understand each other a lot, especially people who have a rich vocabulary, i still had to use russian subtitles as an aid.

Well, the film has characters speaking to each other in different languages with no translation or language barrier. I love when movies do that. A chunk of ukrainian population actually can't speak ukrainian and that doesn't automatically mean they support putler.

So far the cities that putler carpet bombs are mostly entirely russian-speaking, and just ten days ago the populations were supporting russia and some of them even putler himself. Heck, even the current president couldn't speak ukrainian when he was elected. I consider his victory was partly ensured by him being a compromise candidate and as an act of revanchism from the east leaning part of the population. Well, no division anymore, i doubt ukraine was ever as unified as now in the current borders.

There's a saying, stalin got a country with "sokha" and left (in a puddle of piss) it with an atomic bomb. Well, putler got a country that was leading the whole CIS region, with a ginormous cultural market niche of russian-speakers and economical ties with all neighbours, with local homegrown IT companies that crushed in the local market the world leaders like Google, Amazon, Facebook and others, and he will leave (hopefully on the 6th of march, in a puddle of piss) it norther than korea.

Dunno about translations, that would make all the characters speak the same language, but the original audio is this movie's strength if you speak russian or ukrainian. The cinematography is a bit better than just solid, but this isn't an outright action film. It's more of a war drama and most of the runtime it's about soldiers and volunteers participating in philosophical discussions on the merits of humanity, nation, culture and other relevant stuff. And they do it good. I didn't expect the writing to be this strong and the actors sell it.

All in all, it's kinda a great movie.

Ok, so to be true, the real mark from me - is about 8.4-.8.5 Before filming every movie, each filmmaker should thought, for what type of audience this film will be. Because, as we all known, in one country movie can be successful, in another - hated. It all depends from history of each country, on its current political, finance and economic situation. Every country has its tragic and dramatic moments. At the end of every such tragic moment: transport incidents with victims, nature cataclysm, political protests, revolutions, terrorist attack or war, people become united and works together. Just to support each other, share their resources with others, or to solve problems which was caused by 'others'. Very often, directors running by their emotions and thus make their work too screwed up, chaotic and difficult to perceive by ordinary viewers. And probably because of that, many of movie filmed right after important events, are becomes quite bad or lets called them, weak. The reason is very simple, authors (writers) do their jobs only following emotions and fillings. They doesn't spend many time for analyzing history before 'drama' was taking the place, they looks at situation from only one point of conflict, for additional materials they use data from Wikipedia or short interviews of victims\friends\real persons who been involved. "Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die" doesn't have any of problems mentioned above. Events, personages, interior and places, some monologues and dialogs, all of this was taken from real peoples who risked their lives and who were killed or was wounded during the Battle of Donetsk airport (real name: Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev International Airport) at autumn 2014 -Winter 2015. Those Ukrainians who served there was named 'Cyborgs'. First time that names were given by pro-russian separatists, because of specific how Ukrainian soldiers fights, how they used this building and non-human conditions where they lived. But lets return back to movie. It doesn't have one main antagonist or group. It is more complicated. We having: pro-russian separatist and Russian military forces from one side who tries to knock out&occupy airport as main strategic object; also Ukrainian general command, who follows only International 'peaceful' plans, his orders brings mess into situation; some of 'Cyborgs' has psychological issues caused, of course, by heavy military actions. These are main factors which create atmosphere, idea and probably this is the main line of the movie. Permanent fight with physical enemy, enemy in face of your command and with 'another yourself'. Director choose not to follow only one protagonist personage, he decided to provide each one of the them enough time to told their story. This is why, you are really understand actions and behaviors of every character and start to sympathize and empathize everyone. Dialogs and lines are clearly the best thing! First of all, this is not fully Ukrainian speaking product. As it was in real life, soldiers are speaking between each others on 2 languages, Ukrainian and Russian. Second, there is many philosophical and social historical speeches between characters. Movie just full of them, it gives the audience (especially international) the answers of what is the cause of this war? Why everything was taking place? What is the main motives of pro-russ separatist? Why so many young and old guys from Ukraine come together at this Airport, and what drives them to do what they are doing? Harsh\strong words are in use very often (like it should be on war!), but I believe, in real, it was way much more . Actions. If you are filming military film please be ready to spend money, a lot of money, for battle scenes. The battle scenes in this movie are very weak. If you go on Youtube and saw by yourself, what was the battles in airport, you will completely agree with me. So this one, is the main minus of the movie. Actors. I can't say anything bad about them. They are good or they normal, depend of characters they playing. And I believe there is more problem with script and lines. Probably this is very small minus, also. Overall "Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die" is the best Ukrainian movie of last years. Seriously. If you check previous movies made in Ukraine you will find that all products can be split on 3 category: historical dramas, modern comedy's, modern documentary, and some art-house projects made special for festivals. 'Cyborgs' it is like #MustSee for every citizen. The reason is to not to forget, about those heroes who has spent 242 days in strategic ruins, those who has lived, defend and died in non-human conditions, in order to save our present, our way of living and protect the country from 'lovely older brother'.

I'm Ukrainian. I was born and live in Ukraine. Modern history of Ukraine is not as simple, as other developed countries have. But any way we've choose our way to independence. My feeling as a citizen is the same, that has son, leaving parental house. It's hard, but it's needed step for growth. Ukrainian made their chose and now the new modern country born. Should see film all of you, who want to understand what's going on. Slava Ukrainy!!!

Even with a smaller budget and English subtitles I enjoyed the heck out of this movie. Great action, great story line and something I REALLY didn't expect, excellent humor! Very impressed by my first Ukrainian movie! Very recommending for anyone into war dramas on this side of the Atlantic!

Strong film, with thousends of small details, most off all dialogs taking you hart, and severall heavy scines... After wathicin this film, all my company exit from the cinema siently, and we not discuss thiss film, it is realy hard. Huge congratulation to author, that he involve many real Kiborgs, who helped to reproduce scines and atmosphire!

Brutal war reality, pride and passion. Honor and courage. No name actors but so great drama and play.

This film could be better if the editing not jumping around to and fro, the dialog should be more tight and concise, not like what we saw, full of meaningless small talks, wise-cracking jokes. The conversation among these soldiers didn't feel like they were in a battle with the Russian forces. The cannon salvos from the Russians they encountered when they tried to reach that airport looked so fake and staging. If they were spotted by the enemy, their intention and direction would be totally exposed to the Ukraine, but these guys could still reach their destination. When they reached the airport, the whole film began to fall apart. The airport didn't not look like an important must-not-fall-into-Russians strategic place, because there's nothing worth defending. These guys were like just a bunch of civilians wearing uniforms to a field tour for picnic. When they reached there, they just kept talking and talking about their personal demons and burdens, or joked around. The script just stuffed lot of small talks among these soldiers, most of the time they were just talking to each other, one guy even whistled. They didn't give you any realistic feelings that they were under siege.

This is a very boring and poorly directed film, only showed you lot of guys wearing uniforms and talked to each other non-stop. A lousy film, not worth of your time to hang on to it and kept watching. Don't be fooled by those high rating reviews; I was fooled by these 8/10 ~10/10 ratings but found out later that I've been played.

It has a good start, really impressive idea and story but what's Next? There is no ending. The final scene has no pinnacle.

The best movie, filmed in Ukraine Good story, perfectly worked characters of the heroes. I hope the film will go on sale not only on the territory of Ukraine and viewers of the whole world will be able to understand what is happening in my country and why these people are fighting

Take "Saving Private Ryan", add Netflix "Sand Castle", spice it with "Dunkerque" aaand reduce he budget in 10-100 times. So, not much of the pretty explosions, but a lot of military drama abour group of soldiers, holding their position in airport.

It is not a common superheroes or war film. It's main goal is to show the thoughts, human issues and behaviour on extreme sutuation of normal men (musicians, teachers, phylosophers) who only several months before had no idea that they would have to defend their country, because they lived in peaceful Europe in 21-th century. They didn't expect that their russian "friends" and "brothers" would put the knife into their spines.

This movie tells a story of heroism against fascism. Freedom against slavery. Good vs evil. I am Syrian and I suffered just like millions of other Syrian from dictatorship and terrorism and unfortunately my people still suffering. When Ukraine became free, we had a hope that Syria will be free too because the opressor is the same one. This film isn't acting, this film is the story of Heros. Long live Ukraine!

The characters are so bright and plausible, that from time to time I've got a feeling that they were going to talk to me. There are no redundant scenes in this film, almost all frames are just perfect, cameraman did such a great job. This film is not actually about shooting, but about people, their ideas and thoughts, morality and ideals. Definitely, definitely worth to watch. This movie is so distinctive, that its experience is really unique

It surprisingly well paced and rather character-driven than actually a chronicle piece. Looks are stunning, whole flick is directed marveosly and characters flesed out so well, that now I'm eager to see spin-offs about every single one of them. Being a war movie, it mannages to capture the horrors of war pretty well, not making it fun attraction as some other flicks do. Nonetheless, there's a surprising amount of comedy, serving as a tone changer and means of coping with the situation by the characters. Absolutely loved it, definitely a must watch one.

Just wanted to say Thank You to everybody, who made this film. This story was based on true basis and i cry almost all time during the film. War is a very cruel thing, but when you stay for your country, U are a hero...

Knowing a little about the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war definitely helps in understanding the plot. The screenwriters admit they wanted to make sure all details including the conversations reflect the actual events since the movie is based on a true story. It is definitely one of the best non-fiction war movies I have ever seen.

By the way, there's a documentary called "The Ukrainians" that uses real war footage to depict the same battlefield.

It is the story about the super heroes and in the same time: the tender fathers, loving husbands and faithful sons of their motherland. It is the modern (even current) history of Ukraine. Film is worth seeing for every who likes Ukraine and wants to understand what happens in it.

The cyborgs endured, the concrete could not stand.

All of heroes don't know how to live, behave, exist in the situation when not only russians entering your territory but also people that were living near you are also your enemy. Who are you? What is your history? Who is close to you? Who is your enemy? Is your military mate your enemy? Why he is there? Why he is not with his family or why he is not on the musical conference? The was has started 7 years ago. And I'm still thinking who is enemy and why people around me are ok with having union with russia. still...

Great movie makes you really feel for these guys, the orcs have them overpowered and are coming in every which way, using dirty trick after dirty trick, violating seize fire after seize fire. A joy to watch, you will feel like you are there on the side of the humans doing all you can to stop the orcish menace. My heart goes out to these men and their families, the film saves us from the doom of the final ending, but we as viewers know how things turn out in the end... the movie sort of foreshadows this and the orcs are as orcish as they get, full of animosity and hostility, ready to break the neck of a kitten you just want to step on their necks and choke them out, and then you catch yourself and realize you are at home watching this from the comfort of your couch. Long live Ukraine, glory to the hero's of the world, fighting for freedom, fighting for their own choice not to be enslaved by the orcish horde, showing the clear difference of what it means to be a human and what it means to have a heart, morality and honor Thank you my hero's, my deepest thank you! Thank you to the kids whose fathers died in this conflict, I am so sorry for what you had to go through and wish that eventually the Orc's get their reconning, sub human filth, lowest of the low, grandma raping, child killing war criminals, Orcs orcing it up for all to see, and these brave Ukrainians holding them in check between our freedom and their lives.

Awesome and epic struggle of our heroes...! lambs become lions🇺🇦

This Ukrainian production is very professionally done, and is a worthwhile watch. A handful of reinforcements (mostly in Ukraine's "volunteer battalions", as opposed to Regular Army toops) arrives at the shot-to-hell buildings of the Doneskt municipal airport in fall 2014, which is partially encircled by better-armed Donbas sepraratist militias and (unacknowledged by Moscow, of course) Russian Army soldiers.

Compared to many war movies I've seen, this one gets a lot of the little things right...how troops must contend with weariness, poor food, the recurring sense of not really knowing what the hell is going on, how casualties are handled, the fact that you DON'T fire your weapon full-auto unless it's absolutely last-ditch necessary, etc.

A couple minor gripes: while it's great that this film is dubbed in English (so no distracting subtitles), some of the accents and vocabularies are quite "American"...but that's not a show-stopper. Also, while there's one "commander" in charge of this immediate unit (which seems to be no more than a 12-14 men), there's no way such a small outfit would be holding the whole airport terminal, and there's no real sense of any "larger picture", organizationally.

The film has generally very good acting, and some surprisingly philosopical elements, as where the commander asks his troops why they volunteered to fight there...and another scene where he interrogates a captured enemy soldier and they exchange arguments about which side is more proper or reasonable in the political environment of the Ukrainian central govenrment versus the unhappy Russian-speaking Donbas Ukrainians.

All in all, a thoughful product that doesn't just fall back on Hollywood-style shoot-outs and pyrotechnics to keep your interest (although there's some significant violence depicted, too).