A cinematic achievement of the highest order

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 1999)

I expected a lot from The Thin Red Line, and what the screen put before me exceeded any anticipations or preconceptions I entered the theater with. The poor audience reception hardly surprises me, since the masses rarely appreciate high art upon its initial release--this is a proven fact throughout history, from Mozart to Citizen Kane to 2001: A Space Odyssey.
It was a stunning examination of humanity and emotion, as well as a decent expression of war; since Malick refused to create a distinct good and a defined evil, it is only logical that many would feel a sense of detachment. That, however, was the idea: by watching this, you should think about who you are and the feelings you have, instead of living vicariously for a few hours.
Where Saving Private Ryan force-feeds the viewer its message (a message of ultra-nationalism, among other simplistic things), The Thin Red Line gently asks "why?" And it provides no answer. Beautiful.