Amazing!

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 1999)

This film is just amazing. I first saw it in theaters which was spectacular having the oppurtunity to see John Toll's cinematography on the big screen. The film is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen along with The Last Emperor. But the film wasn't just all looks. The editing was great, the music effective, the actors convincing, and the voice overs and narrative structure were also a great rest from all those other cookie cutter films being pumped out of studios. Many people compared this film to Saving Private Ryan, but that's just flat out wrong. Sure the opening twenty minutes of the film were terrific but after that it was just war cliche after war cliche. I'm not saying the film was bad, it's just not as great as every one says it is.
I recently saw the DVD version and it was the next best thing to seeing it in theaters. The transfer was the best yet of any DVD and the sound was awesome. I had seen the movie almost 4 times on VHS and this DVD is about a million times better. The only complaint I have about the disc is the lack extras, especially theatrical trailers! if you havn't seen this film yet don't listen to any of the negative comments you read. Trust me, this war film ranks right up there with All Quiet on the Western Front, Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter, and Full Metal Jacket.