9 on a scale of 10

Rating: 9/10 (13 November 1999)

I seriously doubt that there is anything I can say about this movie that has not already been said. I felt that it was one of the classic war movies I have ever seen. The direction was brilliant. In fact, I would say that was the number one asset. Secondarily, Tom Hanks was great and so was the intensity of the action - almost unparalleled.
I nitpicked on a couple things - as I am prone to do, but the main reason I didn't give it a 10 was simply because, like Schindler's List, it was too depressing. I will never give a depressing movie a 10. Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't think it was THAT depressing, but the fact that 8 men set out to bring back one and that most of the 8 (I won't say how many in case you are the only one who hasn't seen it.) die trying to bring him back is a formula that I have a hard time with emotionally. Interestingly, the movie deals with that very subject and allows us to develop our own opinion.
Be warned, however. There are lots and lots and lots of dead soldiers and lots and lots and lots of dead soldier's parts.