Those old "men on a mission" films all look a bit tame in comparison

Rating: 9/10 (19 October 1999)

I remember, as a kid, watching films like "The Wild Geese", "The Big Red One", "The Great Escape" and "The Dirty Dozen" among many, many others with my dad. Now I've got a son (only 4 years old at the moment, so a bit too young), I can picture my self a few years down the line watching this with him on tv. Letting him stay up late to see it, maybe.
Whereas I watched all those old films as a kid and went straight out with my toy machine gun with my friends and played soldiers, this film would perhaps have caused me to consider the futility and senselessness of war. Then again, I'd wager that it probably would not have, as there are so many memorable moments that I would have loved to have replayed in the playground. My personal favourite is Tom Sizemore and a german soldier throwing their helmets at each other, having run out of ammo, but these moments come along at a steady rate.
I know that some people will appreciate the film as a whole, but hate the modern day beginning and ending. I know it's a bit corny and flatly played, but the idea is spot on for me. Just like Schindlers list, you see what saving one life leads to, and why it is worthwhile.
When Tarantino was promoting "Pulp Fiction", he did an interview with the BBC here in which he said he would love to make a "men on a mission" movie. I'd love to see it, but maybe Private Ryan has put him off. I hope not.