There are no battle lines, we are thrown right into the confusion of war.

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2004)

Oliver Stone, the man behind JFK, WALL STREET and NIXON just to name a few, brings forth a film that is very close to his heart in PLATOON. This film effectively shows us the grind of war, one which Oliver Stone himself understands well, being a Vietnam vet himself. The combat scenes are not glamorized, each one thrown at us with the purpose of portraying the realities of battle. Saying this, each scene is beautifully framed, often showing no real battle lines, just confusion. We are first brought into Vietnam as an outsider, slowly becoming more and more accustomed to the brutality and apathy that exists all around. Charlie Sheen stars in this film (what's with the Sheen's and Vietnam). He plays an idealistic new recruit who volunteers for combat duty. Through Stone's genius, we observe the war through the eyes of Sheen's character. We land on an air base, witness the realities of being a new recruit, watch a horrific event at a village and see how someone can question one's own morality. Sheen's character gets off the helicopter a very innocent volunteer, not fully understanding of the situation that exists ahead. Well, that will change of course.
Tom Berenger and William Dafoe give extraordinary performances, especially Dafoe. One image of Dafoe in particular (hint is that it deals with him throwing his arms in the air) is about as effective as a movie image can get. As we are taken deeper into the jungle, we are taken deeper into the subplot that exists between William Dafoe's character and Tom Berenger's. I am not going to give away how this dispute starts but lets just say that it started with a shocking incident. The men are split in support of each one, Sheen being with Dafoe. We watch Sheen change into, well, into a man who now has seen the worst of mankind. The last battle is breathtaking to say the least. Berenger and Sheen share an unforgettable moment, one which will linger with you long after the credits fade. At the end, the brilliant score unleashes its might and we see Sheen leave on a helicopter, alone with his thoughts. His monologue at the end puts everything in perspective, we see Stone's view of the war with it as well. Sheen's character still has hope though and still strives to see the goodness that exists in life. Platoon is one of the better films of the 80's and will always be Stone's defining film.