Much better than I excpected.

Rating: Null/10 (13 February 2002)

Though not highly stylized, I was stunned to the degree that this film took to make you feel like you where right there with those men in combat. It's not Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, or Platoon. It is however, remarkably good, and where it skimps on drama, flare and commentary, it makes up in a direction that is more cut to the point, almost documentary feeling. Not for the weak of stomach, as this film really got the blood and guts nearly to a new level in several of the combat sequences. However, it is NOT done in a Starship Troopers ultra gory, blood for the fun of it over the top sort of way. Yes, there's blood and enough of it to fill an Olympic swimming pool. But it never seems unrealistic. A good film to help understand what the Vietnam conflict might have really been like. I should note that I went to the screening with very low expectations Ever since Mels war movies post-Brave Heart I just sort of went, neh Heck, I haven't even seen Patriot yet. But his really went above and beyond expectations quite a ways. I highly recommend it.