not that hot

Rating: 7/10 (10 December 2014)

it's a weird screenplay, i think conrad's work is extremely literary and the story doesn't really play on screen with nothing but sheen's monotone voiceovers to keep it going. but the film really shines in its bizarre psychedelic visuals and music as well as the detached scenes of senseless violence, which are pretty much unparalleled. the film deserves all the attention it gets for the cinematography alone.
Some wonderful set pieces, like Ride of the Valkyries, but on the whole, it doesn't work. The whole Vietnam-Conrad connection is ridiculous and half baked. Coppola pours on the portentousness, colored lighting and fancy cinematography because he doesn't seem to understand the characters. Marlon Brando, who plays some kind of super soldier special forces guy, is as big as a house. That scene where he's eating those chestnuts and halfassing his dialogue?He looks like elmer Fudd. "Oh da howa."