Not what I expected but still a very good movie

Rating: 7/10 (6 November 2005)

I really enjoyed this movie but was a little misinformed before I saw it. From the previews I had expected that there would be some action scenes. There wasn't any. Other than some shelling towards the end of the movie the only bullets flying were during training and into the air in celebration.
That said, there were many other aspects of this movie that held my interest and made it well worth watching. I particularly liked the interactions of the soldiers with each other and watching the bonds form between them. I kept waiting for the final battle that would cement their relationships knowing that once they had been through it and shed some blood, they would be brothers for life. That moment never comes.
The movie theater was virtually silent as the credits rolled which was the complete opposite of the buzz and anticipation that was there before the movie started. While a bit sobered about what the war was really like for the marines, at least I didn't feel sick after watching it the way I did with Traffic or Lord of War.
For those of you with easily offended sensibilities: The intent of the movie was to portray what it was like for the men on the ground. It shows what soldiers do to pass the time when there are no women around and death could come at any moment. While tamed down a bit for us civilians, it will offend anyone who is uncomfortable with swearing, sexual innuendo and explicit sexual content. This is not a movie you should watch.
Ironically, I found the graphic content of the movie a bit refreshing as well. I have become accustomed to the news and the daily footage of the war in Iraq. This movie brought back a bit of the reality our men and women face on a daily basis and renewed my appreciation for their efforts and sacrifice.