It seems like genius but who understands it but Malick?

Rating: Null/10 (25 January 1999)

This movie was no Apocalypse Now. It was long-winded and not engaging in the least. Beneath all the poetic narrative mumbo-jumbo, Malick obviously had good intentions. But let's be realistic. Once you tap too deep into the reaches of a director's mind, the movie's punch becomes lost to the masses. The screenplay becomes disjointed and only fragments are comprehendible. Like with every great movie, the audience is supposed to enjoy the film at every level. But Malick has made The Thin Red Line so unintelligible that most people cannot conceptualize the meaning behind the movie. The few movie-goers who do enjoy deciphering movies may find this one a fine challenge. Otherwise, I don't recommend it.
One thing I do wonder is if anyone else thought Elias Koteas struck an uncanny resemblance to Robert de Niro...he even had the same trademark front teeth. Very weird.