I admire Nolan's technical skills and visual ideas. When you have nothing to say, you jump around, keep audience interest by continuously leaving them hanging on the outcome of some (ultimately unconsequential) tension.

When you're young you love virtuosity. At least I did! It's something you can attain if you get the equipment and time.

When you discover the great films of the 1930s and 1940s I believe you'll have a different perspective. To me, it's easy to keep suspense going by jumping back and forth. What's really, really hard is to build a story one narrative bit at a time, where a few false connections will ruin everything.

Dunkirk to me was interesting in capturing the surreal aspects of war, but that's an old trope. You might watch "Paths to Glory". No fancy shots. Real consequences for a few men.

Or, here's the original "All Quiet on the Western Front" https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aYW4j-B5WS5vuzn_mdLCs2joJXnUdCcs/view?usp=sharing

I save these public domain movies when I can. The book was written in 1929 and the movie in 1930. Everyone involved probably knew someone who died or was injured in WWI.

The recent 2022 version is made by people with no memory of the world wars. I'm not saying one is better than the other. I am saying they are different stories! The original resonates with me more.