Epic poetic yawn about guadalcanal

Rating: 5/10 (2 May 2002)

Pros: cinematography, acting, directing, script.
Cons: Dull, unrealistic action sequences.
The Thin Red line tries to show the horrors of war using the poetic side. This is a good idea but it is executed rather badly because you have tough U.S soilders spewwing poetry as good as Lord Byron. This film is a masterpiece, because it is better than most of the films out there so it deserves some kudos trying to bring originality into our boring miserable lives, or that's what the director likes to think. It basically pay no respects to war veterans and is extremely anti-war. A film like Das Boot is anti-war but at least it pays respect to veterans by showing realistic submarine combat. The explosions in this movie look very fake and it glorifies a combat-dodger (James Cavaziel). Critics who think this movie is a classic either 1) have never seen combat in a war, or 2) too respectful of Mr Terrence Malick to actually tell him he made a bad movie. Look out for lots of cameos.
Premise: Soilders and Captains ponder the significance of war.
The Thin Red Line was nominated for seven Academy awards.
Grade: 5/10 (Awful).