Must see anti-war film!

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2007)

From arguably the best director of our generation (definitely the most confronting and controversial) came the most disturbing and harrowing war film of all time.
"Platoon" tells the story of raw recruit Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) who volunteers for service in the Vietnam war only to discover that he has committed himself to a year of pure hell, which he so aptly describes as "the impossibility of reason". Stone uses Taylor's shocking story (one many veterans could recount I'm sure) to show us the terrible horrors of war, and does so with gut wrenching effectiveness. The slaying, the brutality, the senseless destruction of both land and people's lives, along with man's shameless inhumanity to man are all painstakingly recreated by Oliver Stone (writer-director), who drives his strong message home relentlessly.
All the players are outstanding, with Charlie Sheen passionately portraying the young, confused and scared Taylor, Willem Dafoe marvelously encapsulating the tireless, freedom fighting Sergeant Elias and Tom Berenger coldly bringing to life the heartless Sergeant Barnes. Great support is also given by Forest Whitaker, Kevin Dillon, Francesco Quinn and even Johnny Depp, among others.
Oliver Stone thoroughly deserved his best director Oscar for this riveting and heart rending motion picture, which also deservedly won best picture. Due credit also must go to the technical teams editing, sound editing and art/set design as well as cinematography and the fine choice of music, with Samuel Barber's Adagio for strings being most effective.
Very disturbing and aggravating, "Platoon" is a must see!
Wednesday, January 26, 1994 - Video
Oliver Stone is the man behind this devastating drama about the horrors of the Vietnam war, as seen through the eyes of raw recruit Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen).
Writer-director Stone gives a powerful tour-de-force of Taylor's tour of duty, full as it is with harrowing real life experiences and atrocities, which are presented to us in a shocking and affronting manner.
Every single performance here is outstanding. Charlie Sheen's strong interpretation of young Chris Taylor's personal metamorphosis is fantastic, Tom Berenger's harsh portrayal of black hearted Sergeant Barnes is frighteningly effective and Willem Dafoe's superb showing as the compassionate and world weary Sergeant Elias is inspired. Fine turns also from Francesco Quinn, Kevin Dillon, Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley and Johnny Depp.
Excellent editing from Claire Simpson, cinematography by Robert Richardson and art direction/set decoration (Bruno Rubeo) round off this most horrific of war films, which makes brilliant use of Samuel Barber's tragic Adagio for Strings to set the heavy mood.
Without question the most focused and forceful, not to mention the absolute best, film about war ever made, and certainly one of the strongest dramas to emerge from the 80's.
Sunday, October 2, 1994 - Video