great!!!!!!!

Rating: 9/10 (22 March 2002)

Very simply a masterpiece of film making, coupled with outstanding acting. This study of war is an equal of the 'The Deer Hunter' and very possibly the supereror of Apolcalypse Now'. Very different to both these films, it is a staggering piece of cinema which gives the effect of being very real, although this impossible to tell, due to experiences of writer and director Oliver Stone. The script is very impressive, strenghtened with excellent acting from Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor who throws himself into the chaos and madness of Vietnam, What is more astounding is the acting of Tom Berenger and William Dafoe in the supporting roles of sergeant Barnes and Elias. Its cinematography portrays a frightening sense of realism, 'Apocalypse Now" manipulates the events and lighting to create some staggering imagery, in "platoon' it appears that someone has simply put a camera in the middle of the confussion and filmed what is happening.differing from 'Apocalypse Now', it doesn't need a extrodinary story to make events interesting and shocking, in a simaler way to 'The Deer Hunter' it creates a feeling of terror and shock over the experiences of every person. Where 'The Deer Hunter' deels with the lives of the soldiers who have no prospects at home, 'Platoon' shows dark and confussed battles fought in a confined,moist and stuffy jungle where soldiers fight among themselves. Two hours of brilliant film that will have you thinking of it and the issues it contains for months if not years.