the worst Vietnam movie ever

Rating: 1/10 (26 August 2002)

I've seen every Vietnam movie ever made, I think, and this one was the worst. I was actually quite looking forward to seeing it, too, which made it all the more disappointing. The script is boring and unimaginitive, as are all of the characters in the movie. None of the characters are either interesting or likeable enough to care about, and I didn't mind when any of them died. There was very little good character development, even though the first part of the movie (before the actual battle) seemed to drag on endlessly. The presence of Mel Gibson further ruined the movie, although I think it was unsalvagable anyway. How can I get caught up in the character of Colonel Moore when Mel Gibson plays himself in every movie? (The Julia Roberts phenomenon). The final bad thing was the music- it was by turns obnoxious motivational shmaltz and some bizarre Irish song played at least three times throughout the movie.
If you are looking for a movie about soldiers in Vietnam, see "Platoon." It is far and away the best Vietnam movie. If you are looking for a movie depicting the utter horror of Vietnam, rent "Apocalypse Now" or " The Deer Hunter." Basically, "We Were Soldiers" attempts to be moving and inspiring like "Saving Private Ryan," and ends up failing miserably. I wondered why I'd just wasted two hours watching it when it was through.