Don't just watch this movie, really take it in.

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 1999)

Everyone has their opinions and is allowed to give them, no question. I do, however, think that, judging from a few of the comments, a lot of people missed out when they watched The Thin Red Line. Yes, the cinematography was absolutely flawless, portraying the beauty of Guadalcanal as the backdrop to a hideous and gutwrenching bloodfest. Everyone realizes this because it was right there in front of them. Yet, the true beauty of this film is the fact that the fears and questions these men deal with are understandable and very realistic.
A frequent complaint about Line is that it fails to shape its characters and show enough of them to make the audience care about their fates. The character's makeup is irrelevant in a film like this though. You see a man die gruesomely, and you can only feel bad if he has had a lot of screen time? I think not. I am very impressed that Terrence Malick took a risk and chose a different route. Showing each character briefly gave you a sense of what each man was going through instead of just two or three of them. Why single out a few characters just because they're huge Hollywood stars?
I also really enjoyed the fact that the Japanese soldiers were not portrayed as the evil, emotionless enemy. The film showed them as frightened and edgy despite being on the other side. It really made me feel hatred, not for the Japanese, but for war itself and what it does to its victims.
Watching this movie did require time and dedication, but films nowadays seem to only be eye candy; a melting pot of special effects, basic dialogue, and familiar faces. Very rarely does a movie come out that makes you think about life, whether it be the lives of the characters or your own. Saying I was forever moved by this film feels like an understatement. I guess I'll say that I feel extremely lucky to be one of the people that have witnessed this soul stirring film. I obviously recommend The Thin Red Line to anyone and everyone who loves good filmmaking. I only recommend it, however, if that person is willing to take 170 minutes out of his/her life to appreciate every minute of this cinematic brilliance.