A must see

Rating: 10/10 (3 November 2010)

Francis Ford Coppola's controversial take on the Vietnam war still stands strong today as one of the best war movies ever made. It is a timeless classic, as well as a perfect example of the modern day epic. It's the story of Captain Benjamin Willard, played by Martin Sheen, who travels to Cambodia for an extremely confidential mission. That mission is to kill a renegade Colonel Kurtz, played by legendary Marlon Brando. It might seem like a simple synopsis, but as the film progresses it twists into a complex psychological journey, focusing on the absurdity and horror of war. The whole film encompasses a raw and visceral intensity that is beautifully constructed and perfectly paced. Its a fantastic focus on the disastrous effects of war on the human mind and it beautifully illustrates this throughout the films stunning visuals. Apocalypse Now is an incredible experience that is not for the weak of heart.
One of the greatest aspects of this film is definitely its visuals. They are beautifully, as well as very emotionally stirring in the context of the films events and subject matter. Coppola brilliantly utilizes light and smoke to create numerous dark and riveting effects in the film. Every moment is so carefully put together. Nothing about this film feels rushed or poorly paced in any way. And it shouldn't considering filming alone took 16 months, and the movie took three years to finally complete. Apocalypse Now is certainly extravagant, but not overdone. It never goes over the top and never feels flashy or boastful. The harrowing beauty comes in just the right amounts. It's not too much, and it's not too little. It will leave you with disturbing and also breathtaking images that are hard to forget. The film possesses the kind of indescribable passion and fervor behind its visuals that has such an intense effect on your mind when you lose yourself in this incredible experience.
Some of the best films ever made are war movies because of the deep and controversial subject matter they deal with. Yet with Apocalypse Now we experience something much deeper. War is but a backdrop for this film that is mostly a psychological thriller. War plays the role of "the horror" and its effects on the human psyche. The story and subtext of Apocalypse Now give it the dark and visceral edge that is exemplified by its visuals. The story has its strong points that drive home the purpose of this film but the characters are what fuel the psychological study of the film. Each character represents some branch of the effects of war. Martin Sheen's character the one who moves past it all and can most successfully wear a facade that suggests he can cope with the horrors he experiences. Colonel Kurtz, Brando's character, is the account of the man who has fallen off the deep end and into pure insanity. But he deals with his own insanity in his own highly unconventional way. Then of course there is Lieutenant Colonol Kilgore, played by Robert Duvall, who is the personification of the absurdity of war. He's the man who, in spite of the horrific and traumatizing events happening around him, figures it will be a good idea to surf on the beaches of your newly won encampment. He's also the speaker of the infamous line, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." This just about sums up what he's all about, and what he represents to the human psyche and its response to horrific events such as these.
I usually try not to base my opinion of a movie around what happens behind the scenes, and really try to focus on what the final product encompasses, but the cursed and horribly laborious work this film took to finish is not something that can go unmentioned. Francis Ford Coppola and his film crew flew out to the Phillipines for a scheduled six week shoot. But due to casting issues, money issues, and a typhoon that destroyed the set, those six weeks turned into sixteen months. It was one of the most stressful and exhausting shoots ever, and Coppola reportedly threatened suicide multiple times while filming. Just reading the trivia section on the movies IMDb page makes it apparent that this is the film that should have never been made. With all the unforeseen issues, it is absolutely incredible that the film was ever finished. But through Coppola's perseverance he was able to finish shooting with over 200 hours of footage, and then spend another difficult couple of years editing the film together for not just a great film, but a groundbreaking and absolutely revolutionary film experience. I can't say that there are many directors today who would stick a production like this out till the very end, and even if they did I don't know how they could manage to construct something half as good as Apocalypse Now.
This film is a perfect look into the psychology of war, and it covers so much existential ground. It is one of the most intense and stunning cinematic experiences ever, without a single imperfection to legitimately criticize it on. It elicits emotions that are hardly describable with words, and it is something you have to experience for yourself. Apocalypse Now is one of the few films that I believe every person must see before they die. It's a massive scale epic that will withstand time, and never lose its relevance, as long as horror still exists in this world.