excellent film, yet overrated

Rating: 7/10 (29 November 2003)

this was certainly an excellent film, yet i do think the kubrick brand name elevates it a lot higher than it should be in most peoples eyes. no. 100 on the top 250 is undeserved, and if this was filmed by a no name director, it would be lower or not at all on the list. the first part was entertaining enough, yet was a bit too over the top and some parts were not very believable. *SPOILERS* donofrio should have been able to do the obstacles a bit easier, i mean, i have the same sort of body as pyle, yet i wouldnt have any problems climbing the obstacles or doing a few pull ups, also the stupidity of pyle was too much as well, i mean he coulnt even put his shoe laces in his shoe for christsake, joker had to make his bed and button his shirt for him! i know you have to be a retard to join the army, but this is ridiculous! also, his descent into madness was vague and stupid...talking to his gun is one thing, yet it goes from that to becoming a homicidal/suicidal maniac (also his 'evil' face, when he is sitting on the toilet, was WAY over the top, it reminded me of nickolson's "heres Johnny!" face from the shining). also, how did he manage to slip past joker, who was on guard duty...it doesnt make sense.
anyway, the first part was good and the second part i thought was even better. plot wise it is pretty thin, it just bascially shows a period of time during joker's tour in vietnam, the action is top notch and the characeters are stereotypical bunch of marines yet are all likeable in their own way.
this movie shitz on most other war movies, yet i think its overrated, i dont think it deserves a place alongside platoon and apocalypse, nevertheless, its a superior example of a movie in the war genre.