Touching, emotional, graphic and gritty

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2002)

One of the most moving movie experiences I've ever had. I was mesmerized (and exhausted) by this film. I was just young enough to miss having to go to Vietnam, but not so young that I didn't oppose the war at that time. This film transcends the politics of the age and focuses on the sacrifices that were made for this country by our young fighting men. I thought Mel Gibson was fantastic. He has risen to be an actor that draws you in and keeps you into his performance. His face alone speaks volumes in many scenes. I wanted to see this movie so I could again experience, at least through a film (as in Saving Private Ryan), the horrors of war, so I could gain a grain of understanding of how horrible it must have been to be in situations as illustrated by this film. An ordinary looking beautiful sunny day turns into a nightmare within just a few moments. The movie is graphic, grizzly, and exhausting. I had tears streaming down my face by the end of the movie, just for knowing that this type of horror went on then, and is still going on around the world. I thought that the quote offered by the North Vietnamese commander at the end of the movie was quite profound and sadly, quite true. This is not an ordinary movie, if you're looking simply to have a good time and be entertained, don't go. This movie has a deeper message than simple entertainment, and some of the scenes are truly horrifying. I give it a 9 out of 10.