Clichéd

Rating: 4/10 (7 November 2017)

I saw this movie in the theater when it was released almost 20 years ago. This is what I recall: The first 20 minutes were pretty powerful. After that, not a particularly interesting, innovative or witty script, but still mildly entertaining (considering it's length). What I remember most though, is that the characters (and some dialogue) were clichés....done over and over through the years in American war films. One guy is very scared, another is super violent, etc. I don't remember the details now (it's been too long), but I absolutely cannot forget sitting in the theater thinking, "wow, this is pretty bad - is it going to get better?" Strip out the first 20 minutes and the multi- million dollar price tag (mostly special effects, expensive sets and pricey actors) and what you have is an average 1950s war film.
I'm not a Spielberg hater. I thought Duel was fantastic. I loved ET as a teenager and Schindler's List as an adult. I've seen many of his films. I can't say I'm a huge fan, but he's obviously talented. I just don't get the accolades given to this film.