Don't believe the hype!

Rating: 3/10 (20 April 2005)

Admirers of this film have often unwelcomed comparisons between this and Saving Private Ryan. They are right. Saving Private Ryran is infinitely superior to this tedious tripe. Whats wrong with it? For a start I lost count of the number of times I confused Elias Coates, Adrian Broady, Ben Chaplin, John Cussak and Jim Ceveziel who with their dark complexion are virtually indistinguishable from one another in camouflage in a jungle some where in South East Asia. Then there are other characters such as Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson and George Clooney who may impromptu appearances and suddenly disappear without any explanation. Of course there is no main protagonists, just an ensemble of flashy actors who feel "privileged" to be in a Terrence Maick film. The director is even arrogant enough not to even state a location or a date, as if we the audience should some how be inspired to know. With a coherent plot lacking, just soldiers meandering through an endless jungle punctuated by sudden outbursts of battle, you would have thought that Ben Chaplin's narration would try and clarify events. Chaplin's drawl however is so monotonous that, without exaggeration, 90 percent of what he says is inaudible. The film has absolutely no redeeming feature which leaves you no choice but to leave the cinema or if you come accompanied to doze off quietly. A waste of three hours you will never get back in your life and £7 which you can't ask for your money back. Avoid like the plague.