One of the most vivid, anti-war movies every made. Superior performances. **** (out of four)

Rating: 10/10 (10 June 2001)

PLATOON / (1986) **** (out of four)
"Platoon" was one of the first movies to portray its subject in a way that does not glamorize war. Many war movies, such as the recent "Pearl Harbor" and "The Patriot," create an involving sense of adventure and strategy, thus shinning an entertaining light on combat. "Platoon" set the standards for war movies to follow. It is an unmistakable, startling depiction of Vietnam. No other war movie more graphically presents its material as believable and disturbing; not "Apocalypse Now," "The Deer Hunter," "The Killing Fields," or "Saving Private Ryan." This is the kind of movie young people should watch before they enlist in the army. It will make them think twice about their decision.
The film's main character is said to be based on director Oliver Stone's personal experiences while fighting in Vietnam. His name is Chris (Charlie Sheen) a college student who enlists in the military because he believes it to be his patriotic duty. The movie introduces the character's environment uncomfortably well. We sense many soldiers lack rest and fulfillment; many are at the point of physical breakdown. There are long shots of exhausted soldiers wandering through the woods, potential danger lurking behind every tree. A snake slithers around a soldier's leg. Dozens of red ants crawl down a resting man's neck. We can almost feel the enormous weight of their backpacks on our shoulders. The portrait Stone paints is unimaginably vivid; we squirm in our seats.
The soldiers often sit around, discuss things of no importance, use drugs, dance, and act like general fools. The film portrays the soldiers as many might believe actual soldiers behave. "Platoon," gives each character a personal dimension. The actors inject a taut edge into the characters. Charlie Sheen creates the illusion that Chris listens and thinks about the words and actions of others. He is an inquisitive, just character, displayed with a sense of unease and frustration. Willem Dafoe, arguably at the center of the film, delivers a strong performance as a skilled fighter, but a man who tries to escape the horrific realties through drugs. The most thought-provoking, powerful performance comes from Tom Berenger, as a sadistic, determined veteran sergeant with a face deformed by a vast history of bullet wounds. Even the supporting cast, including Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Francesco Quinn, Kevin Dillon, Johnny Depp, and Tony Todd, convincingly display a sense of fear and disorientation.

"Platoon" makes clear that war is hell. Oliver Stone writes no actual plot, but instead a collection of scenes that do not contain adventure, strategy, or orientation. We realize any character could die at any given time. The enemy is not given personality, or even a point of view. We see them as the soldiers see them, as distant figures in the jungle paths. They provoke a clear impression of danger lurking from all around. There is little evidence of choreography or style. The battle scenes has no order. Most of us will never know what war is like, thank God for that. But movies like this can give us an appreciation of combat, and of Vietnam.
I would like to close this review with the final lines of the movie. I feel these accurately conclude the statement "Platoon" makes about Vietnam.

"I think now, looking back, we did not fight the enemy, we fought ourselves. The enemy was in us. The war is over for me now, but it will always be there, the rest of my days. As I'm sure Elias will be, fighting with Barnes for what Rhah called "possesion of my soul." There are times since, I've felt like a child, born of those two fathers. But be that as it may, those of us who did make it have an obligation to build again. To teach to others what we know, and to try with what's left of our lives to find a goodness and a meaning to this life."
Charlie