Vietnam movie, better than many others but fails on some points

Rating: 6/10 (16 June 2002)

This is truly a strange movie. Split in two parts it is somewhat hard to judge it as one movie. The first half focuses on the recruit training on "The Island". This is the movies best part. The lack of music, the long dwelling scenes and the actors makes this a painful view on how to make a soldier and what happens in the recruits mind. The second half (The Vietnam part) is not that good, but it absolutely has its moments. What makes the Vietnam part good is the reality that is shown. If someone saves another guys butt, there is no hugging "thank you, I owe you big time" kind of s**t, they act as soldiers are trained to behave. But after all, the second part of this movie lacks the intensity of part 1. But the film is probably worth watching. Kubrick, however, have made better movies. (Shining, 2001, Clockwork Orange, Lolita)