The Deer Hunter
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Movie Reviews of The Deer Hunter
Movie Review: See It
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Deer Hunter" has everything going for it: an amazing cast, great story, and superb drecting and cinematogrophy. It's a very intense and moving exeperience, and should not be missed by anyone who likes a enjoys a cinematic masterpiece every now and then.First and foremost, the cast brings this movie to life. Since "The Deer Hunter" is a movie of such intense emotion, anything less then an astounding cast would not be able to do it justice. Although everyone shines, Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken really stand out. DeNiro does a great job portraying Michael, the leader and backbone of his group of friends. This may be DeNiro's best work. And then there's the Oscar winner, Christopher Walken. Walken plays this part so well, he doesn't need lines, his facial expressions say it all. I found that his character Nick to be extremely interesting. Just watching Walken play Nick is enough to see "The Deer Hunter".
And then there are those Vietnam scenes, where the American prisoners are forced to play Russian Roulette. Words can't do these scenes justice. They are quite possibly some of the best movie moments.
Many people complain that this movie is either too liberal, for portraying such "anti-war" feelings, or conservative, for extreme racism. Well, it happens to be neither liberal or conservative, but simply a truthfull story. Of course, some anti-war feelings may come from viewing this movie: it does not try to glorify war or tone it down, it tries to show the horrors our boys had to go through. One of these horrors (in some cases) are the Vietmanese who tortured many American soldiers. For all those that feel "The Deer Hunter" is racist, get over it: it happened. By not accurately portrying the Vietmanese, both the good and bad, would be to dishonor the Americans soldiers in the Vietnam war.
The only real flaw may be that the movie is a little lengthy. The beginning tends to drag a bit, but its setting the tone for the rest of the film.
See it. See it because its an experience that will stick with you, good or bad.
Movie Review: BEST WAR FILM.... EVER!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Deer Hunter is a film of extreme prestige, it is in no way overrated as so many seem to think. It is a beautiful masterpiece show the values of friendship through turbulent times. It is long but I think that does't matter it still grips from start to finish in so many ways. Basically it is about a normal group of friends Mike (Robert DeNiro), Nick (Christopher Walken), and Steven (John Savage), they are displayed as a bunch of fun-loving, soulful guys who like to live life to its fullest, they are shown as ordinary through maybe long-winded but significant scenes such as the marriage between Steven and Angela, there are scenes of close social bonding, such as the deer hunting bits and then we are thrust into mayhem. The film grabs even closer to our throats and drags us in, we are given an in depth look at the pains of being POW and the horrors of the dreaded Russian Roulette in which they were forced to play, then after that 20 minute extravaganza we are taken back to Pennsylvania, the gang broken up, Steven in a disabled persons hospital, Mike at home and Nick in Vietnam collecting on the Russian Roulette rewards. The climax is phenomenal, and the final demise of Nick is spectacular, Walken deservedly won the oscar for supporting oscar his searing performance was without a doubt, outstanding.
So to you critics who say The Deer Hunter, is overrated and too long to thrill, and contains too insignificant a part such as the marriage, well I think you'd better revise your statement and realise that this film is meant to be what it is and in terms of acting and the silky smooth directing of Mr Cimino then I think you can probably agree that it is not only the best war film ever but definitely the best film of 1978, check with the Academy if you don't believe me...
Movie Review: Clear your mind and just immerse yourself.
Summary: 5 Stars
The characters in this movie are so rich that we can all identify with at least one of them. Steel mill guys and convenience store girls, this makes life so simple. We work, we drink and we have fun. The story is beautiful.
It's not anti-war, it's not pro-war it's just life in the late 60's at the height of the Vietnam war. A group of 5 close knit buddies who work, drink and hunt together. After a rip roaring wedding one of the guys makes his friend promise to not leave him "over there" should the worst happen. The guys head off to recruit training and ultimately Vietnam. This is where the movie takes a turn.
You may view the Vietnam portion as symbolic of war or you may choose to accept it happened. Whatever your viewpoint, the acting is off the charts and garners probably some of the individual actors best work.
Due to their Vietnam experiences, the 3 guy's lives are changed forever. Coming home and trying to disappear back into his old life proves almost impossible for one of the guys as he feels no one understands him now. Another one is hiding in the VA hospital as, in his words, he doesn't fit anymore. The third is left behind in Vietnam engulfed in a seedy underground world.
The stronger of the three takes it upon himself to get the other two back home where they belong.
The beauty and sadness of the story is felt right here.
For me this is a story that transcends time and can be related to any war. I can watch this movie and go through all the emotions. I can see the light and dark side of humanity. I hold this movie as one of the classics that I can watch over and over.
Don't expect flashy of any sort, just expect good solid story telling and fantastic acting by a stellar cast.
Movie Review: A BRILLIANT STUDY OF FRIENDSHIP AND HARDSHIP!
Summary: 5 Stars
What is there to say about The Deer Hunter? I think for starters I can start by saying WOW! This movie deeply touched me! And being 21 years old I did not think it would. I have read numerous negative comments regarding The Deer Hunter, most of them being: 1.) The film is too slow. 2.) The russian roulette scene were not accurate and never happened in vietnam. 3.) There are not enough war scenes etc. I will try my best to justify the inaccuracy of the negative comments that I just listed. First off, if you can't handle sitting through a slow moving movie then this is probably not your cup of tea. The movie is slow for a reason and that reason is called "character development". Michael Cimino wanted you to really beleive that these characters existed before dramatically turning the film in a 180 direction. And what is slow to one person may not be slow to another. The russian roulette scenes were used to show the horrors of war metaphorically. Maybe it happened, maybe it didn't, but Michael Cimino intended on it being used as a metaphor. Basically this film is not about war but about friendship, and what can happen to friendship under the hardships of war. If you're expecting Platoon, then forget about it. This film is nothing like Platoon or any other war movie I have ever seen. That's because it's not a war movie. This is a great film! But the DVD on the otherhand is not so great. I will admit that. The picture quality and sound are pretty horrible. But the movie makes up for it. I have owned both DVD versions of this movie and they are both pretty bad. I guess that i'm going to be stuck waiting for an updated edition to come out which is inevitable. Thank you for reading and I hope that I shined a little bit of light on this beautiful film.Movie Review: so real it's like a documentary - 5 stars are not enough
Summary: 5 Stars
Five stars are not enough for this film. The previous night I saw the General's Daughter with John Travolta. The two films couldnt' be more contrasting. The latter is your typical hollywood dumb-down pop-corn film with sex, violence and one of hollywood's favourite actor; the former is a no-frills film about events as they really must have happened in Vietnam. Here are the details : The film is divided into three parts: the first part is about 3 normal young men in Pennsylvania whose only aim is to have a good time (lasts about 1 hour); the second part takes you to Vietnam, and that's where you start wiping the sweat off of your brow, and sweating in the southern region (this lasts about 45 minutes); the third part is post-Vietnam when deNiro returns to Pennsylvania traumetised. The film is now in top gear and keeps you on the edge of your seat because you don't know what has happened to De Niro's other 2 collegeus. Are they also in Canada ? Were they killed in Nam ? DeNiro (Mickey) eventually tracks them down, and I won't say what state they are in, because that would spoil it. There cannot be a better film out than the Deer Hunter. The Russian Roulet scenes must be the most nerve touching scenes made (same category as the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan). The acting is superb. A lot of people rave about de Niro et al (and quite rightly so), but those vietnese bad guys were also superb. The film may appear too long, perhaps a bit drawn out in places, and some of the scenes a bit gloomy - so don't expect a non-stop action Private Ryan type of film. I'm sure it would sweep the oscars today if it was released now. I'll be watching it again tonight just to watch the russian roulette scenes.