Compelling, mind-blowing, and incredibly realistic...

Rating: Null/10 (13 February 2002)

MINOR SPOILERS...
As with Black Hawk Down, We Were Soldiers is an exceptional epic that will drag the viewers painfully through the tortures of a hellish and gut-wrenching four-day warfare. Totally gruesome; uncannily barbaric! This movie is filled with unimaginable and horrifically shattering moments that will be difficult to wipe out from one's memory! It's an eye-witnessing experience to a historical dilemma. And the experience is graphically powerful and oft times, humiliating!
The technical aspects are so immensely realistic achieving their commitment to reveal the terror in the `Valley of the Shadow of Death.' The scenes with Joe Galloway taking photo-shots are mesmerizing! And I was completely dazed with that one scene of the looming fire during one of the bomb explosions! Barry Pepper is awesome in his role! This film also has amazing music scores and lyrics! They definitely enhance the spirit and moods of the scenes portrayed, drumming up tension, fear and desperation. Absolutely poignant and stirring!
My heart aches for the group of freshly trained, young soldiers of the 1st, Battalion, 7th Calvary! A group who has to leave their families in the middle of the night, dropped by helicopter, and stranded in Nam's Drang Valley, only to come face to face with their unexpected brutal destinies. Can they stay alive, fighting off countless and countless of enemies and against overwhelming odds? Observe how these men struggle to evade flesh and bone shattering bullets and burning napalm! Watch how every man try to stay alive! Compelling totally mind-blowing! A story that presents an enthralling insight to the desperate battle fought by men from both sides! This movie certainly is not meant for viewers with weak hearts! But it's the best war film I've seen in years!
Mel Gibson's performance as Lt. General Harold Moore is commendable. His portrayal of the leader of a pack of helpless, young men is visibly admirable on screen. His desperation, his strength, his bitterness, and his devotion to his men, despite the lack of resources, were powerfully shown. And Sam Elliot's eccentric Sgt. Major Plumley is incredibly outstanding. Rough, tough, yet so witty and wise! Here's an actor who is capable of getting his character's integrity, honesty and charm ooze out of the screen. A phenomenally appealing character who does bring a few chuckles, despite the intensity of the environment! The overall cast members are just as solid with their performances. And the female actors certainly contributed significantly to this movie. They allow us to explore the struggles and the tragic circumstances faced by the wives of the men-at-war. They provide a great perspective of families at home, living through hell and agony while their loved ones served their country. Madeleine Stowe's role certainly added emotional intensity to the screen. Sure, the sight of the Western Union telegrams will definitely bring panic, even to the viewers!
There's a strong message learned from this film. Men in combat will always be victims of suffering no matter which side they take. This movie totally plunges me in into an overwhelmingly combination of psychotic emotions of desperation, concern, terror, scorn, morose and forlorn. That's how powerful this movie is! And it gives me ground to ask: Can we ever learn from history that war is an exploitation of human dignity and integrity? Even a nation's victory can never compensate the loss of so many good lives the lives of men who had stood by and died for their fellow comrades! This movie is an A+ masterpiece production!