Lives up to expectations

Rating: 8/10 (30 October 2002)

Apocalypse Now is a film everybody should watch at least once. I'm no fan of films about the Vietnam War; Platoon and Hamburger Hill I really did not like. But AN is different. Not concentrating too much on the battles, it's the story of one man's search for a renegade General
Martin Sheen, who plays the "searcher" (does Charlie look like his Dad or what!), is nothing short of superb! He's not even a hero - he's a man with many inner demons. His journey along the river to find the General (Marlon Brando, who doesn't appear until the last fifteen minutes yet practically dominates the film) is also a journey within himself, full of danger, sadness and even humour (vis the "surfing" story which had me laughing out loud). The final fifteen harrowing minutes is masterful. Early work from both Laurence Fishburne and Harrison Ford adds interest