Worthy but sadly forgettable

Rating: 6/10 (13 June 2001)

A none-too-original story of soldiers in bootcamp training to go to Vietnam. There's all the usual characters - the psycho-killer-soldier, the misfit, the bombastic commanding officer. Yet there are several things that distinguish Tigerland above the run of the mill. Firstly it's made on a tiny budget, secondly the acting and script (within the limits of the slender plot) are well done. The characters are well-etched and this film has a gritty realism that is lacking sometimes in classics such as Platoon. Unfortunately the entertainment value is low and this is a movie to be forgotten again quickly, however worthy. As a ps to the ladies (or gay male filmgoers) there's lots of nudity - most of it in the form of bronzed male butts.