complicated subtle film

Rating: Null/10 (31 May 1999)

It gets annoying when every new comment hails this films anti- war message, then there are some who love Kubrick's cold pessimism and others who complain that this film and Kubrick's cold and pessimistic style bother them.
But it's ironic that this is Kubrick's most optimistic film. This is evident as Joker comments a few times that it is better to be alive than dead, and the beautiful ending. This film isn't pessimistic or overly optimistic and sentimental about life. It finds the right balance which exists in real life.
Don't worry that some say the first half is incredible and the second half sucks (Ebert). Think about what is being said, this film is very subtle so it's challenging.
I thought the film was a great examination of how men are transformed into killers and how some are more resilient to the process than others. I loved all the slang used by the actors, and how there was never a huge morale boosting speech and stories about the soldiers lives back home. Felt realistic.