First half is riveting, the 2nd half falls on its face

Rating: 6/10 (31 October 1998)

This is really one of the most disjointed films ever made--the first half of the men going thru the Marine Boot Camp is truly the finest depiction ever made--the drill sgt. used to be a real one which really adds the authenticity. But when the movie shifts to Viet Nam, the whole movie falls flat--the whole audience is bored listless wondering what the point is. A few vague references to "the duality of man" are made but never explored, the characters are shallow and cardboard. The movie was taken from a short story, "The Short Timers", but if that story had a message it's completely lost in the movie. In short, see the first half which will hit you like a ton of bricks, then get ready to read the paper or just skip the whole 2nd half entirely.