Powerful but flawed

Rating: 8/10 (7 May 2005)

Platoon puts films like 'We Were Soldiers' 'Tears of the Sun' and 'Windtalkers' to shame. And considering Platoon isn't the best war film of all time, or even excellent, that is saying a lot.
But I'm not writing this review to blaspheme those films. I'm writing to inform; and, if you are willing to view this film, information is required. OK, no: Platoon is not the best war film ever made, or even close. But what it lacks it just about makes up for, with a great script, superb performances from anybody involved and a very emotive anti-war message (for part of the film, anyway).
Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a newcomer to the war. Living a reasonably middle class life, he joined up, seeing as he was 'educated', to defy expectations of his parents. But he gets more than he bargained for as early as the first week, and that's not even the half of it.
It takes a while for all the real atrocities to appear, but when they do, they really are atrocious. Particularly in a gut-wrenching scene where a man's face is literally reduced to pulp by the end of a gun.
It isn't perfect, however, no matter how ambitious; despite all of the above, I still think a deeper insight was completely necessary. This film being little less than two hours with the amount of explosions that there were proves my point. And if not a little short lived, this film can't really decide what it wants to be; sure, it shows all the horrible things in war, but rather contradicts itself; in the end scene, you realise this film is just as much pro as against. This really does take away some of the effect.
However, at least it isn't sentimental. The sad music does occasionally appear to frequently and in the wrong places, but that can be forgiven. One question to end though: will I remember Platoon? Despite the occasional brilliance and truly powerful scenes, I cannot be sure. If you asked me that about another war film, 'Saving Private Ryan' the answer was a definite yes. The difference is obvious.
8 out of 10