A series of build-ups with no climax...

Rating: 4/10 (17 January 2002)

... I figure that Stone must have been smoking some of the same grass that the characters do in this movie to end up with a product like this. Sure, it's beautifully filmed, but really, all it is when you come right down to it is a bunch of Americans sitting around, getting drunk and stoned, and talking bull. Occasionally something actually happens/explodes, but then Stone goes into hyperactive camera mode. It might be authentic from the perspective that none of the troops knew what was going on either; but it's frustrating for an audience member trying to piece together some sense from this garbled mosaic that says 'War is hell!' in between long pulls on a 'J'.
None of the cast are particular standouts either, ranging from 'going through the motions' to pitifully bad.
It is rare that I have had to endure such a boring experience from an otherwise regarded classic. It is beyond me how this won so many awards and so much acclaim.