Possibly Oliver Stone's best

Rating: 8/10 (8 September 2013)

To be quite honest, the first time I saw Oliver Stone's "Platoon" I was disappointed. Perhaps it was the fact that the presence of Charlie Sheen in the lead role invited comparison to "Apocalypse Now", starring his dad. However, even though both are war movies set in Viet Nam, comparing them is like comparing apples & oranges.
Stone's film is, first and foremost, a movie about the experiences of 'grunts' in this bloody conflict. In place of the surreal nature of "Apocalypse Now", Stone and technical adviser Dale Dye brought a sense of realism to the picture. That being said, while realism was enforced, Stone still managed to imbue his script with deeper meaning.
The story revolves around young volunteer Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) as he arrives in Viet Nam and quickly becomes acquainted with the horrors of war. Apart from the enemy, there's conflict among the soldiers themselves, as a rift develops between the compassionate Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) and the ruthless Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger).
Despite the fact that Charlie Sheen is in the lead role, the acting is actually pretty strong. Berenger & Dafoe were both nominated for Academy Awards but they ended up losing to Michael Caine. The large ensemble cast includes several recognizable actors, often contributing memorable performances. Notable names include Keith David, Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Kevin Dillon and even a young Johnny Depp.
Stone's direction won him one of the film's four Academy Awards. Another Oscar deservedly rewarded the sound department for their contribution to the film. Also notable was the extensive (and effective) use of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings". Both visually and sonically, the movie is impressive.
Ultimately, "Platoon" isn't quite perfect but it's definitely good enough that I'm glad I gave it a second chance. The movie's realism is commendable and the storyline is thought-provoking. It may be no match for "Apocalypse Now" but that only means that it's just a very good movie and not a masterpiece.