World War 2 is a fertile ground for writer and story-tellers. And, I thought I had seen it all, but a new movie from Anchor Bay, First Squad: The Moment of Truth takes some familiar territory and makes it fresh.

First Squad is the story of Russia’s 6th Division, a group dedicated to winning the war against the Nazi’s using the occult. It seems that Hitler has been using the occult and Russia has responded in kind, creating a sort of ‘ghost war’ that’s being fought alongside (but out of sight of) the physical war. The problem is that a pivotal point in the war is about to happen (a ‘moment of truth’), and Russia needs her ‘first squad’ to make sure the tide turns toward them…but all but one of the squad is dead. So, it’s up to a young psychic girl to travel to the underworld to bring back her squad-mates to help defeat the German undead.

First Squad really feels like the beginning of a franchise. While the story is good and the animation is excellent, when it ends, it feels like there should be a bit more and there’s definitely potential for a sequel. If you love these kinds of war films…and I’d place it right in the same category as Raiders Of The Lost Ark…then you’ll enjoy this too. It’s an interesting story told from the Russian perspective and it’s remarkably good.

I’m giving First Squad: The Moment of Truth 3.5 out of 4 cigars, if you’re not a fan of war movies or Anime, then you might want to pass on this one, but otherwise, head over to http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com and grab up a copy, it’s a fast paced, action, war movie that’ll leave you wanting more!