forget what you have heard - whatever you are looking for in this movie is not there....

Rating: 3/10 (28 March 2010)

I fail to understand what anyone saw in this movie. Entertaining? no. Great war film? no. Character piece? no. Study of the human psyche in battle? no. Action packed popcorn flick? Not even close. I see no value in watching this film at all. Maybe the point was to show three types of soldiers: the adrenalin junkie, the soldier who can barely function for fear of the seeming inevitable, and the soldier who does his duty as best he can even with full understanding of the reality of his day to day risk. If so, none of these characters are really explored or explained so we can empathize or at least understand them. The "brave" solder does have one or two acts of bravery such as when he attempts to cut a bomb mechanism off of a civilian and is obviously upset about his failure to do so. But most of his actions seem only to satisfy his craving for adventure - not as sacrifice for country or comrades, bravery, duty or any other discernible reason. His actions throughout the movie are pointless and add nothing to the story. I am not sure if she is trying to demonize or show him as a hero, either way is abject failure. The combat scenes were embarrassingly inaccurate - an insurgent can pick off a soldier(twice)from hundreds of yards away with what a appears to be an ak47 without a scope and yet two American soldiers have to sight in a guy after several shots who is hanging out of a window with a spotter and a shooter? That was by far the most glaring but there were oh so many others. There is no plot, no compelling moments no great story being told, nor lesson being taught or introspective to ponder. What is the point of this movie? If it were at least entertaining that would be something. Watch one episode of Band Of brothers, time much better spent.