A "movie" that disgraces the memory of soldiers.

Rating: 1/10 (26 January 1999)

I am sick of hearing some people say that this is a great movie, or the greatest war film. It is neither!! I enjoy philosophy, and I can even sit through a long movie (Long Day's Journey into Night) but this movie could have been so much more and wasn't. I haven't been so angry and incensed about a movie in my lifetime. Perhaps that is what Malick was trying to achieve. I really think he could've made this movie beautiful, horrifying, profound and special ... if he just wasn't so into indulging himself. The actors themselves did what was asked of them, I'm sure, so the fault isn't with them. I've heard this was a great book and apparently the 1st version of the film w/Jack Warden was a success. So that pretty much leaves the script and the director. I wanted this to be good. I came into the theater with a sense of anticipation- who doesn't? Didn't everyone who bought a ticket want to be entertained? I personally think that Mr. Malick has made a movie that is neither about war or entertaining people- it's about him and I'm not interested! As another reviewer said, when I'm on my deathbed, I'll wish I had these 3 hours back!!!