Not easy viewing

Rating: 7/10 (19 February 2004)

Platoon is uncomfortable viewing. The film focuses on Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) who is a new recruit to Vietnam. In the same way that Chris quickly becomes used to the stark realities of war, so do the audience. It is a very powerful film and brutally exposes the realities of war. People die in war and the soldiers become familiar with death. Those soldiers that do survive will not be the same again.
Excellent direction for Stone and a good all round cast make for a fine film, but it's probably a little too close to the bone to be genuinely enjoyable. 8/10