I can't believe I didn't walk out.

Rating: Null/10 (22 January 2002)

I hated almost every minute of this movie. I almost walked out several times - I probably didn't because I didn't drive myself to the theater.

The ENTIRE movie was gunfire and gore - one battle over and over. Yes, I sucessfully understood that the combat lasted much longer than planned and lives were lost but I got that after the first hour of gunfire. No need for another hour.
I didn't care that anyone died as there was no character development. I got the point that the marines are a group, "brothers", that leave no one behind. I have worked with many Marines before and understand their mentality, however this movie did not bring home that point as intended. The only feeling I got was an enormous sense of anger that the US govt sent so many young men on essentially a suicide mission. I find it hard to believe that intelligence could not have told us that so much of the city was armed. And even I could have told you the helicopters would probably be shot at - I mean come on. Yes, that is not the movies fault - it is the account of the conflict, however this movie should have been a documentary. That would have been the only valuable way to make this conflict into a movie.
The release of the film is also very unfortunate. We are trying to feel patriotic and supportive of our troops overseas but this movie certainly dampens those feelings.