Platoon, possibly the best war film ever made

Rating: 10/10 (14 March 2000)

If Platoon is not the best war film ever made, it is the best Vietnam war film ever made.
While I must give homage to "Saving Private Ryan" for its ingenious battle scenes, this film, in perspective is far better.
While previous commentors stated that the plot was somewhat sketchy, I totally disagree. At first It seems sketchy, however, as one watches the film, one realizes that it is a film of a great plotline. It is a modern tragedy. Sheen entering a war for honor ends up torn between the choice of becoming a savage, or keeping the little honor that he has left in the war symbolized by Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger) and Sgt. Elias (Willhelm Dafoe). As the war progresses, it becomes more and more difficult to keep honor in war as both Sergeants tear apart the Platoon as their ideologies conflict. The final sequence in the film is remarkably done, as Taylor (Charlie Sheen) chooses one path and ironically becomes the opposite.
Saving Private Ryan, on the other hand, is just about a couple of guys who go into France looking for Private Ryan. What makes this film great, were the ingenius action sequences of the film.
While currently Saving Private Ryan stands out as the best war film ever made. I believe that it will become dated from replication of similar techniques in other films. Plot of Saving Private Ryan is somewhat weak, as well as its character development compared to Platoon.
Platoon is a great film of various issues that intertwine within each other. Is there honor in war? What happens to men in war? Good vs. Evil... what eventually wins in war? Are there any positive aspect in war? etc... etc...As well as little issues that give it a distinct Vietnam persona. Why are a larger porportion of African Americans in Vietnam than whites? Do Lieutenants straight out of West Point deserve the same homage and responisbilites as a hardened Sergeant with several years of experience in the field. The frustration of guerilla warfare tactics on a superior military strength. etc... etc...
Anyways, this film is on my top ten list of greatest films ever made. And number one in my best war film ever made category, while Saving Private Ryan comes second.