BY EMILY BLYSTONE
Staff Writer

3.5 stars

While most high schoolers may be more inclined to see the Zac Efron rom-com or Alex Pettyfer’s weepy romance, The Monuments Men is the better way to spend 10 bucks. The movie, taking place during the final months of World War II, follows a band of artists and architects tasked with recovering masterpieces stolen by Nazi thieves. Because it’s a WWII movie with an older cast it may not instantly appeal to a young demographic. However, stars Matt Damon (James Granger) and George Clooney (Frank Stokes) bring with them the charm of the Ocean’s franchise, and Bill Murray (Richard Campbell) and John Goodman (Walter Garfield) add a spark of comedy to the film. Despite moments of lightness, The Monuments Men still handles itself with the same seriousness as great war films. The movie has great moments of heroism but does not directly focus on the gory side of war, making for a nice balance.