starts slow, but becomes excellent

Rating: Null/10 (11 July 1999)

The Thin Red Line begins slowly and not so auspiciously, but if you're willing to sit through the slow beginning, the rest is well worth it. At least it was for me. I found the beginning too slow, with too much voiceover, and I hated the John Travolta cameo. I thought he looked as though he had had a silly little mustache painted on and it bothered me. But once the soldiers got ready to fight, the film became excellent. It was beautifully, stunningly, brilliantly shot. The cinematography should be a paradigm for future cinematographers to study! The film gave an interesting perspective by seeing the men as one unit instead of developing specific characters and illustrated the bonds and ties they felt toward each other. So, I'd say, you need to be patient since the beginning is slow, but if you are, you will see one of the best movies of the year.