Platoon (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Platoon (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Powerful film on man in battle
Summary: 5 Stars
The best evidence of how powerful a film "Platoon" is comes from the Viet Nam War veteran's testimonies as seen and heard on a documentary about the film. That documentary, "A Tour of the Inferno" rounds out this wonderful DVD presentation of a great American film. Those veterans, many in tears, talk about the film's realism and how it was so evocative as to bring back the very smell of their war experiences.
"Platoon" is director Oliver Stone's semi-autobiographical rumination on his tour of duty in Viet Nam during the late Sixties. The film follows 27 men banded together with the common purpose of survival but driven apart in many other ways. As lead character Charlie Sheen says towards the end of the film, they were fighting themselves as much as the enemy.
Seeing "Platoon" is an excellent way to understand American participation in the Viet Nam War particularly its impact on the "grunts" -- the infantry.
Both as a screenwriter and director, Stone doesn't shy away from the profanity, the blood, the tedium, the fear and the immorality of this war (or for that matter any war). While some scenes are difficult to watch, the movie as a whole is difficult to ignore, it's message so powerfully presented.
The battle scenes are among the best ever filmed. Special effects both in sounds and sights are superb. "Platoon" also features an unfogettable score highlighted by "ADAGIO FOR STRINGS" whish was arranged and conducted by Georges Delerue
A strong ensemble cast is headed by Sheen, Tom Berenger, David Keith, Willem Dafoe and a very young then unknown Johnny Depp.
The accompanying commentaries featuring Stone and technical adviser ex Marine Captain Dale Dye add much to the appreciation of "Platoon's" realism. Both are engaging and easy to listen to.
The documentary tells the grueling tale of the making of "Platoon" and further adds to one's appreciation of this magnificent movie.
Movie Review: War sure is ugly for this Vietnam platoon.
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1986 Academy Award winning film is based on writer/director Oliver Stone's experiences in Vietnam. It's raw and gritty. And it doesn't preach. It just shows in living color what war was like for a specific platoon. Basically, it was about trying to survive and just get through it all.Charlie Sheen stars as the raw recruit. At first we see him as the young boy who wrote daily to his grandmother about the bugs and the blisters and the constant fatigue. Later, we see join the camaraderie of the platoon. And still later, we watch him make some hard choices of his own. Tom Berenger is cast as the scar-faced sergeant with the kind of cruel streak that doesn't stop at murder. And Willem Dafoe is cast as an equally experienced soldier who deplores the cruelty and is willing to stand up for his views.
The film focuses only on the experience in the jungle. There are no flashbacks to childhood or stateside relations. There is no mention of the anti-war movement or the plans of the generals. It is all about just humping through the jungle, in constant fear for their lives and lots of macho swaggering to keep up their courage. There are constant ambushes, horrible injuries, lots of death. But the most awful scene of all is when the platoon, overtired and angry because of recent horrific casualties, goes into a village. Here, all the pent up emotion is unleashed on the innocent villagers. This is the moral center of the film, where there are choices between right and wrong. Here is the part of the film where I burst into tears myself. War sure is ugly.
This is a great film and it makes most the other war films I've seen pale by comparison. I give it my highest recommendation.
The film brought me right into reality of what its like for the soldiers fearing for their lives and the civilians who happen to get in their way. I have no illusions. Such it is. Such it has always been. And such it will always be.
Movie Review: Hard Hitting Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
"Platoon" is a moving and compelling film which provides the viewer with a feel of the hardships and epic struggles that troops had to endure in the Vietnam War. One sees thick jungles with the constant fear of ambushes from guerrilla fighters at every moment without warning. It is indeed dreadful to see soldiers trudging in muddy waters, struggling in rain and crossing thick mosquito infested jungles.
The film appears to be an open and objective portrayal of the terrible war in Vietnam. For example, it shows drug abuse by soldiers, killing of innocent civilians and some personal vendettas resulting in killings of war colleagues. Social and racial tensions are apparent as well as rivalry between junior officers and other ranks. This, in my view, is what makes "Platoon" particularly great by not glamorising war but as a mature and balanced critique of the horrors of war.
The film is a story of a small platoon of men doing their best to survive during the Vietnam War. Based on this, the director, Oliver stone, (a Vietnam War veteran himself) directed a hard hitting and compelling account (if controversial) of the war. The movie shows the horrors of war and how it affects soldiers emotionally and psychologically. The long sleepless nights and ever present dangers eventually take their toll on most soldiers.
This is a fantastic, if brutal movie about the livers of soldiers who fought the war in the jungles of Vietnam. The fire-fights, the battles, the fear, paranoia and everyday frustrations are apparent. The film shows how war can change one's views about what is right or wrong or what is good or evil.
This is recommended viewing for anyone who wants to have a feel of what war entails and a perspective of what troops had to endure in Vietnam.
Movie Review: I don't give 5 stars often
Summary: 5 Stars
I've only given 5 stars to a handful of films, but Platoon deserves it.I never served in war, so how real Stone's depiction of the Vietnam war is I can't say. However, comments in the commentaries (where else?) indicate that though most vets might quibble with minor details, they give high marks to the authenticity and verisimilitude. It is pretty scary when you are 6 feet in front of an enemy bunker but do not see it.
As with all Oliver Stone movies, there is some blur between fact and fiction, but he was in Vietnam, so I can only assume he knows what he is talking about. Made on a budget of only 6 million, Stone manages to lead his platoon of actors through an ensemble performance that would capture oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Editing, and Sound, plus nominations for Best Supporting Actor for Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Other unknown or rising stars (including Johny Depp, John C. McGinley, Kevin Dillon, Mark Moses) were excellent as well.
Some unforgettable images and scenes, least of which is the one on the DVD cover (which was the main movie poster, too). In Stone's commentary, he says he might have "gotten a little operatic" with Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" in this scene. I beg to differ - this is the best music/visual combo in film, although some of "Apocalypse, Now" is close. This piece of music has been used in tons of films, but never more emotionally than here.
Some might say the ending narration is a bit sappy - but I think it made the film - and certainly it is an honest evaluation of an unreal situation by a young kid who really has seen it all.
Besides a 5-star movie, there are two insightful commentaries (Stone, and technical adviser Dale Dye), and good behind-the-scenes series of cast comments.
Highly recommended.
Movie Review: Most Realistic Film of the Vietnam War
Summary: 5 Stars
Written and directed by Stone, the story of "Platoon" is drawn from the directors own experiences in Vietnam. Mainly it is a visual film that explores the harsh realities of war. Through one soldier's point of view we see every aspect of the Vietnam War; booby traps, squad leaders getting fragged, slaughtering of innocent Vietnamese, soldier's mental torment, nighttime ambushes, guerilla warfare and even drug use. Our soldier is Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), a young middle class American who enlisted for duty in Vietnam. Turns out Taylor is in for more then he signed up for. Aside from battling Vietcong and his own mental anguish, he also must choose a side between his two commanding officers Sgt. Grodin (Willem Dafoe) and Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger), each with their own view of the war.
Oliver Stone's "Platoon" is widely regarded as the most realistic film interpretation of the Vietnam War. In addition to the aforementioned aspects, which were all true and realistic, add in a lifelike jungle setting and Stone's presentation of the enemy Vietcong, which were always kept lurking in the shadows and were made indistinguishable to make them seem as faceless objects of the war. Although you would usually credit actors for incredible acting jobs, you also need to give Stone partial credit for that as well. After all he did send his actors on a two week long training course that even entailed fake ambushes to motivate his actors. To quote Stone "we wanted to mess with their heads so we could get that dog-tired, don't give a damn attitude, the anger, the irritation...the casual approach to death."
There are many Vietnam War movies out there, but none are as accurate as "Platoon". In fact, none of them offer what "Platoon" does.