Overrated !

Rating: 8/10 (5 December 2001)

I'm a very big fan of "The Godfather I & II" (notice I didn't say III). With that said, everytime I hear the title "Apocalypse Now" the first word that automatically pops into my head is the word "overrated".
This movie had almost as much hype to it as Harry Potter. It also was the most expensive movie ever made at the time. Yet, after watching it time after time after time, I can't help but think that half the budget went into Brando's pocket.
This movie has never has "connected" with me. God knows I have given it plenty of chances (I've probably watched it about 10 times). Everytime I see it I keep telling myself "This is going to be the time that I understand what all the fuss is about"....but it never happens.
This movie was made in 1979, approximately five years after the last American troops left VietNam. Personally, I think that is a significant factor in the popularity of this movie. I believe in 1979 Americans were JUST starting to accept the fact that we actually lost the war (and I mean on a very wide scale - just beginning to accept). This movie plays into that mentality by showing a General who is going against his orders. It also shows disillusioned American soldier looking for answers. I think people saw one of the great American directors coming out with a "Vietnam" movie (starring one of the all-time greatest actors) portraying the American troops that way, and instantly deemed it a "classic".
It seems as though it kinda gave alot of Americans something to refer to and point at and say "see, that's what it was like"...because of the names involved. So the testosterone started flowing, college dorms started putting up the movie poster, and next thing you know a huge snowball effect had started, and "Apocalypse Now" was more-less deemed the standard when it came to Vietnam movies.
Now, don't get me wrong "Apocalypse Now" has some great moments. Some of the camera work in it is really breathtaking. But to call it a classic is simply ridiculous.