From the writing and directing team that brought us The Usual Suspects, this WW-II Tom Cruise vehicle has been the subject of much discussion over the last 18 months and I’ve had a general sense of feeling from the web that most people are already saying the film was a failure.

I know that can’t be possible as it’s not out until February but with all the problems the film has endured during production and the negative press over Cruise playing a Nazi including his problems over shooting at German historical sites because of his religion, any mention of this film has left a sour taste in people’s mouths.

Now comes the trailer, courtesy of Variety and we can now officially start to have an opinion over what the film will be like.

There is a very slight sense of campness about the trailer but I think that is possibly heightened more by the awful music and the quick cutting together of scenes. I’m sure the final product will carry a far more serious tone, as The Usual Suspects did.

Tom Cruise mis-cast? That’s been at the heart of the pre-trailer discussion and I have to say they may have been right - or maybe Cruise just isn’t playing the character right? He’s a fraction of an inch away from his Austin Powers portrayal with some of his lines and his smile, he seems so off-cue here that I’m beginning to think that he should stop putting himself in his U.A. movies.

Maybe it’s time to let other casting directors find roles that are more suitable to his persona. Love the supporting players here though, so many great British character actors.I’m hoping for lots of Hitler scenes, to really crank up the tension on behalf of the conspirators. It’s not released till February 13th 2009 but it’s nice to see this project is finally heading towards a firm release date.