A real gem!

Rating: 10/10 (29 May 2010)

One of the greatest opening scenes in the history of film. A seemingly out of place theme song that somehow works perfectly. Attention to technical detail that puts most "serious" war movies to shame. An incredible cast. Yeah, the storyline is goofy and it's a period piece with its anti-establishment tone--but that's what makes this a great American movie. Anyone who's spent any time around real WWII vets knows that they weren't a bunch of flag-waving yahoos. They did their duty without questioning the why's of the war, but with a healthy dose of cynicism--check out the 1949 classic "Battleground" for a real GI view of the war. The attitudes of Kelly's crew have at least as much validity as all that "greatest generation" baloney that we've heard from ex-hippie baby-boomers trying to make peace with their aging Archie Bunker dads. (And there's Carroll O'Connor, playing Archie with stars on his shoulders!) So suspend a little belief and enjoy the ride, you'll be glad you did!