Atmosphere of War

Rating: 8/10 (23 June 2017)

(Flash Review)
Rewatched this now that I 'understand' who Terrance Malik really is as a director. This film takes a unique approach to war, which is a feat considering the plethora or war films a person can watch. The approach is less of a story with an expected story arc and more shadowing soldiers at different moments during their time in combat so you never stick with the same person for too much time. Each soldier has a different take on war; some get power hungry and aggressive, some cower in fear, some stay calm, some fight effectively and some lose their marbles. As with much of Malik's work, there is plenty of visual analogies and symbolism. The war is Vietnam and a narrator is often philosophizing about how can there be so much beauty in the land and nature and why are humans slaughtering themselves amongst it. The film is real and raw and at times mentally surreal as it meanders through the war in a similar way as Apocalypse Now does except much less dark and insane. It clocks in at a hefty 2hr 50min and its point is certainly made by then. Let the visuals sink in which give the brain time to contemplate and let Malik wash over you as only he can do.