They fought not for God....Country...But for each other.

Rating: Null/10 (12 March 2002)

This was the core message of this movie. The first half of the movie disappointed me in that it felt like the old Hollywood of old a.k.a. WWII movies, Yo-ho bravismo. I think the director was trying to show Col.Moore as a thinking officer and I believe he was and is, and I am a huge fan of Mel Gibson and his works but the performance comes off and as too forced. Sam Elliott who is always great,comes off very good and believable in his role as the Sargeant Major.
One other critique is the set in the movie. The set gives alot of mood to the feeling of terrain and geography. Vietnam era movies such as "Platoon" and "Apocalypse Now" succeed admirably in this area. But in the words of Austin Powers in "The Spy Who Shagged Me", quote: You know what's remarkable is how in no way does England resemble Southern California. I feel he could jump in here and say the same about this set.
But overall,the movie conveys powerful emotions. The dogged determination of the North Vietnam troops. It is a tad graphic at times but I feel it is justified to make the viewer relate to the story. The story makes you honor and respect those who gave their all for us and that we are forever touched by their lives lost. 7/10