Surprisingly good war-movie without any war...

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2005)

** SPOILERS AHEAD **
Recap: A platoon of recruits, with some basic training, is to undergo training, to become infantry soldiers at Ft Polk and the notorious camp Tigerland, before being sent of to Vietnam. The platoon is a mix of young men, some eager to go and some not at all so eager. And then there is Pvt Bozz (Farrell). He spent most of his basic training in the stockade, and consequently challenges or ignores the military authority. In a military waging a losing war, training young men to become killing machines, he just wants to be human, as the tagline says. This leads to controversies within his platoon. Poor Pvt. Cantwell (Guiry), I believe it was, who was appointed day officer, charged with keeping Bozz in line, has no easy task. And both suffer from it. But as pressure keeps building up through training, a few soldiers sooner, or later, realizes that the military is not their way. But the army in not to let any potential soldier walk away, and only a few of them walks away with the help of Bozz. But his ways creates a lot of enemies as well both within the ranks of officers and within his own platoon. And this might be a problem when you're training with real weapons and real ammo...
Comments: A very good movie with a deep, consistent and catching story. There were no moments where you wanted, or were able to drift off. Also no annoying goofs or plot holes that stole away some focus. I also thought that the entire cast, with Farrell in the lead, gave very good performances. In conclusion I don't really have much to say or comment other than to me, the movie and the entire experience was both well worked through and based on a well thought through ground.
8/10