Stunning film

Rating: 9/10 (15 March 2009)

This is a haunting picture with images that appear to me now and then, a reminder of the beauty of the film amidst the dark backdrop of war. It presents the idea that we are inextricably drawn to war as a race on this planet. The beauty of nature that surrounds us must ultimately become destroyed through our action, our own greed. It's a bleak picture with glimpses of what could have been for one of the characters. His vision that there is another world, a better world is mocked by Penn's character throughout. This idea is raised I think about three times between the two characters and in the final scene you almost think Penn is starting to believe his friend who seems at peace with himself. Sure enough however it is Penn who visits his friend's grave, and is left to mourn alone. Is it better to be the victor or the vanquished? Neither is the answer here. We kill a part of ourselves with the hate and anger that we allow to drive us to war. So not a happy film. The final shot seems to offer hope of nature's resolve, of it's ability to rise above mankind and after we are all long gone it will still be here in its infinite glory. The music by Hans Zimmer is superb and the piece 'Journey to the Line' is a sound I find so stirring it moves me to the very core. This was worth the wait.