Malick Beautifies War

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 1998)

"The Thin Red Line" is probably the most cinematographically exquisite war film ever made. The narrative of the battle between American and Japanese troops in 1942 at Guadalcanal is riveting, and even more engrossing than the Normandy Beach invasion of "Saving Private Ryan." Moreover, the camera frequently diverges from the military activities to meditate on the naturalistic phenomena, including crocodiles, monkies, birds, the forest canopy, the jungle landscape, and ocean views. A solid 3-star effort, and definitely worth a big screen visit.