Something old, something new, something borrowed...

Rating: 6/10 (10 March 2002)

I've got mixed feelings about this one.
I've never been in a war so I appreciate the efforts made here to help a relatively privileged population understand its horrors.
I was torn while watching it, because I realize there's a money-making motive here. The movie is big and bang-filled to pack people in seats. There's a duel going in this movie between the desire to reveal the fear and pain of war, and the studio push to turn a huge profit. Unfortunately, I'm afraid this movie will be judged in the coming weeks based on its box-office earnings rather than its substance. In other words, I think the message may be muted somewhat by a desire to develop the Hollywood themes in the story.

It's the first Vietnam movie I've seen (or rather, that I can remember)that makes an attempt to show the Vietnamese- North, South, or otherwise- as humans rather than 'yellow demons.' It's been about 27 years since the 'war' 'ended', which I guess is far enough removed for this kind of movie to come out and be accepted by a larger audience.
Unfortunately, there's a rampant resurgence of the "I'm tough on 'em but I love 'em" officer archetype. I've not read the book the movie's based on, and I've never met Lt. Col. Moore or Sergeant Major Plumley, so I don't know.... maybe they are/were really like that. Still, in this movie, its not novel; it's John Wayne. Say yer prayers and then say yer prayers.
In all, this movie is no classic as far as I can tell (only one day after seeing it) but it's not bad. It tells the story well, and makes a superficial attempt at seeing both sides of the issue. What I would really love to see is a film that takes that idea one or two steps further. Might be a couple of years off yet, though. I don't know if Hollywood's understanding of America is ready for it.
Oh! Something old... done, Something new... covered, Something borrowed... done that too, Something blue: Mel Gibson's eyes in the night scenes. I swear they've been enhanced to make him look more heroic/boyish/pure. Those scenes don't have much else that's vibrantly colourful, except for his eyes. Hmmm.