thanks ridley

Rating: Null/10 (2 February 2002)

How long can a battle scene last before the audience gets bored? Well on the evidence of this movie I'd say about ten minutes.
After a 30 minute "meet the characters" section, which can be more accurately described as an "American military confusing lingo" section, the film drifted into a bullet battle that lasted for approximately 20 days. Well two hours actually, but after about 10 minutes it just isn't pretty anymore.
Yes there are moments of pure gut wrenching images as twenty gallons of blood flows through the streets, but did I care whether a man had his guts blown out? Well quite frankly no, because an hour ago he was speaking gibberish to his mate, who just lost his head. Callous comments, because this is a true story maybe, but I don't care. Blame Ridley for his "must get the images right before everything else," approach to the movie.
Awful direction, awful acting, and a truly dreadful screenplay:
INT: American barracks
ALL CHARACTERS: Improvise very poor military lines to each other!
EXT: In the City
ALL CHARACTERS: Shoot at each other for 2 hours. Some people die - sorry

You get what I mean?
The most disrespectful piece of film making ever! These people actually died Ridley, and you made it so I didn't care - HOW DARE YOU!