Tränen der Sonne

Das größte Problem dieses Films ist die Tatsache, dass er wie ein tiefes Drama wirken möchte, das harte wahre Begebenheiten aus dem afrikanischen Dschungel reflektiert. Er zeigt sie zwar wirklich naturalistisch (mein Magen war schon lange nicht mehr so verkrampft!), in Kombination mit dem US-amerikanischen Pathos und dem Star-Gesicht von Bruce Willis wirkt er aber unglaubwürdig. Tränen der Sonne kann man auch als puren Actionfilm wahrnehmen, der etwas mehr sein möchte. Wegen des langsamen und langweiligen Drehbuchs ist er aber nicht einmal ein zufriedenstellender Actionfilm. (17.04.2003)

Fugua can deliver, but here he struggles with a lousy script and half-baked dialogue. Really, the only worthwhile thing in this film is the scene of the ethnic cleansing in a Nigerian village, which is both excellently shot and makes the ignorant realise that Africa is a world where human life has no value. If the rest had been in a similar vein, this would have been a great anti-war film. As it is, it's just another useless Hollywood crap that's dull in thought, with not much action either, and a typically Hollywood clichéd ending. So, sorry, this didn’t work out. (20.09.2003)

An interesting premise, good plot setting and nice production design. On the other hand, the pathos is bordering on kitsch and the pace is very uneven. A watchable affair that only confirms that Fuqua is nothing more than a routine man without a shred of inventiveness. (31.01.2007)

A lot of angry Willis, unbearably wooden Monika, jungle, shots, dust, and injustice. To top it off, one big and very unbelievable twist against orders, sometimes annoying cliches, and an annoyingly optimistic message that hurts. Everything in the packaging of Zimmer's surprisingly tired composition and big black-and-white peace propaganda. I occasionally quite like Antoine Fuqua, but the claim that he can direct empty pictures well has never been more true. (11.05.2008)

At the beginning it drags on slowly and the only thing that looked any good is the surrounding jungle and Bruce Willis in camouflage kit holding a machine gun. The African jungle seemed to be asleep all the time. Where are the snakes, the spiders and other critters that could make this group’s journey a little more unpleasant? Take a look at Rescue Dawn and you’ll see what I mean. It’s all so artificial. Tears of the Sun tries to touch us with humanity and good deeds by hard guys who until now behaved like robots. And the only thing that Fuqua gave to this movie are lens filters, amazing views of African nature and a solid action ending which digs this picture up from the gray average. 3 (11.05.2008)

Too simple, flat, and in the second half also hardly believable, but Fuqua knows when the limit of pathos is exhausted and thankfully keeps the tough soldiers in check and avoids playing a hysterical drama about the redemption of hearts and the desire to help the innocent at the cost of one's own life – it can indeed be done without the drama. It is a pity for the unbelievably constructed action scenes at the end. Besides the excellent performance by Willis, the cleansing of the village and especially the portrayal of the military unit are good – their communication, behavior, actions. In one of the few war films where emphasis is placed on these attributes and it all looks highly realistic. (26.10.2003)

A very good action film with McClane in the service of the military, but very weak as the drama with a strong humanistic message it wants to be. Monica Bellucci rolls helplessly on the ground and tries in vain to touch the inner emotions of the viewer who, mouth full of popcorn, wants only proper action and the traditionally gurgling Zimmer soundtrack. But the grimy visuals are just so naturalistic and haunting that I can't completely dislike it. 65% (15.11.2012)