Brutal war movie with a better plot.

Rating: 10/10 (18 March 2002)

There are a few things that I really enjoyed about this film. The first being the realistic portrayal of a soldiers spirituality and how he uses it as a tool. The scene where mel gibson's character prays the hail mary with his children moved me to tears.
Another thing that I enjoyed was that plot wasn't all sappy like they stick in so many war films these days to, maybe, make it more appealing to women. The goodbye's to their wives wasn't over done and scenes where the women receive their telegrams is justifiably a tear jerker.
Finally, I appreciate the films theme of being a thank you to vietnam vets, in that it didn't portray them as druggies and baby killers, but as true patriots that loved their fellow soldier.