A fresh spin on a tired subject

Rating: Null/10 (26 June 2002)

I had figured every possible angle of the Vietnam War story had been done to death by now, but Joel Schumacher finds a fresh angle with this very solidly-realized film. Schumacher's usual stylistic touches, seen in his previous "Batman" and "Bad Company"-type films, are almost entirely absent; he seems to truly embrace the concept of tabula rasa with "Tigerland." (Well, except for frequent subtextual homoeroticism. Although there are no gay characters (and no oversized codpieces, obviously), you'll see shirtless, underwear-clad or altogether-naked men frolicking in practically every other scene.) Colin Farrell has a stunning Stateside debut in this film; one can easily see what prompted the likes of Steven Spielberg to snap him up for "Minority Report." While not perfect -- several characters are one-note, done-to-death stereotypes (i.e. Grizzled Drill Sergeant Who's Really a Softie at Heart) -- "Tigerland" offers a fresh spin on a tired subject.