A bit of a disappointment yet enjoyable to watch.

Rating: Null/10 (23 May 2002)

I was serving on a U.S. Navy ship at the time when two scenes for this motion picture were filmed onboard. It was an exciting day when the crew was told that Malpaso productions and the Mayor of Carmel Ca were to arrive and use the ship for the filming of an upcoming movie. We were told that we would be allowed to watch the filming and to extend all courtesies to the filming crew. However after the film came out I had to admit I was somewhat disappointed. It actually had nothing to do whatsoever with HeartBreak Ridge and resembled a 50's era B war movie. The overall plot was something that had been essentially done before i.e. aging War veteran is assigned to shape up a platoon of misfits and malcontents who desire to serve and do good but lack motivation and discipline which of course will be provided by aging veteran. They at first resist and despise their new teacher then come around to accept and embrace him as their mentor. Along with the main plot are subplots involving Clint Eastwoods character locking horns with a young Major who regards him as an antiquated military man and Marsha Mason as his ex wife (who was more convincing in her military spouse role in Cinderella Liberty) who still cares for him but grew tired of sharing him with his real true love The Marines. It was set in present times and I found it hard to take that any one who served in Korea still on active duty would only be an E-7 and still be in a Combat role. Also a Marine Recon unit is an elite well trained well disciplined lot and their behavior would be nothing like that exhibited by this bunch led by Mario Van Peebles who does however turn in a great performance. But it's a Clint Eastwood movie and there is always something about Clint Eastwood movies that make them entertaining to watch and Yup Heart Break Ridge is one of them.