Boo Yaa - Semper Fi

Rating: Null/10 (18 March 2002)

I see this as not so much a movie. This is a story, a story of the horrors of War and of the disgusting filthy jobs that must be done to preserve democracy. Being such I will first comment on the Movie/Film Aspects of it. I feel if release as a straight out fictional film it would have done very well in theatres. The effects were at times BREATH TAKING, totally awesome. The complexity of the crowd scenes must have required thousands of people. The Battle Choreography also, amazing. They needed to employ realistic elements of squad combat, (i.e. Squad Automatic Weapon deployment, covering fires and kill zones) these were done with total believability and VERY few, if any, errors. What a foundation to put down for the remaining aspects of the film the story line and the principals. The adaptation from a Novel to Screenplay is NO small undertaking. There are MANY MANY things, characters, and battles, subplots that must be cut while simultaneously adding necessary elements intrinsic to film. Good job on this count. I read the book, but it down, saw the movie, then came home and read the book again. It fit, the stories were believable, one story begat another and vice versa. Good Job. NOW, the Principals (Actors to you and me) WHOA WOWOWWOW. Josh Hartnett is the future, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, SHIFT IT here come da man. This is the role of a lifetime. Be honest. Be a soldier. Do you know what it's like to COMMAND 20 men and have them trust you with their lives? Also, be compassionate. Your only human their son... these boys fresh out of boot, want to fight, make a difference. The Sergeant just wants to have everyone who gets off the chopper, get back HOME ALIVE. Josh KICKED ASS! He led, he commanded, made mistakes, beautiful role and a masterful performance. Eric Bana, the dark, mysterious yet OH so beneficial soldier, he is a man who's seen "The Elephant Charge" way too many times. At just those perfect moments Sergeant "Hoot" steps in and saves the day with gunfire or if needed, some tough words. Ewan McGregor, Obi Wan... this is not. Here he is a reluctant, almost comical character, someone truly more likeable in print. Well-done shaping the role into something that worked. Don't let the real soldier's charges detract from his character's performance. FINALLY, TOM SIZEMORE the Master, THE MAN ALL HAIL TOM. Ala "Apocalypse Now", "ahhhh... Love the smell of napalm in the morning" Proudly leading his men "Just DRIVE", "I'm blinded sir!" "Just DRIVE, put your foot down and DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE!!!!!!" Powerful and strong at the Pakistan Stadium when they are regrouping and deciding who leads, who stays, he steps up and orders "We're going back". Not a TRACE OF DAMN FEAR in that man's eyes. This whole cast deserves a year of R&R in the Philippines after that. I would love to see them interact in more movies of the same. 1. Overall 10 2. Story 9 3. Acting 10 4. Effects 10 5. Fostering Friendly Relations 0
Semper Fidelis Boys And Girls
BIG TIM