Whether it be man or woman, war hurts in all the bad places.

Rating: Null/10 (5 August 2003)

When I was asked to see this movie, I was keen, but also cautious, that this might be just another one of those war movie' flicks. Yet to my surprise I really enjoyed what this film had to offer. It shows that no one totally wins in war. I also enjoyed the personal level this film had to it, giving the audience a chance to feel for the men on the battlefield and the women and families, who at anytime might hear some devastating news. We were soldiers' will stir even the most toughened of movie fans, and reduce them near to tears!
On 14 November 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam, more than 400 troopers from the U.S. 7th Air Cavalry found themselves outnumbered. Nearly 2000 enemy soldiers surrounded them in a small clearing called Landing Zone, and they had to fight like they'd never fought before. This fact-based tale of men under fire and their acts of valour and loyalty to one another is what became the first--and perhaps the worst--major battle of the Vietnam War.
The cast of any war film must be extremely proud and conscious of what they are portraying. Having an actor such as Mel Gibson in the leading role, is a perfect example of that. He was brilliant as Lt. Col. Hal Moore, who must have been a truly brilliant war fighter in real life. I found Gibson's character to be very compassionate in situations that would usually require him to be totally merciless, and out for the kill. Gibson was made for this war role, with his other war film the classic, Gallipoli', a truly great film in its own right.
Thanks to this film, I have finally seen a decent performance from young actor, Chris Klein. His role had plenty of class and emotion. I enjoyed how he asks, does a good soldier, make you a better father?' I am sure that many fathers must ask that of themselves as they go into battle, a fair evaluation of too. I know I have been critical of Klein before, but if he can do more work like this, than I am confident he will become a better actor. Someone else, who I have been a little unsure of in an acting sense, is Greg Kinnear. He has been in films like Someone like you', which was a great film, and a disappointing role in the farcical movie, Loser'. Yet for me, Kinnear has not done many roles that have stood out to me, such as his role in the classic romantic comedy As Good As It Gets'. That is up until now. His role as a leading chopper pilot in the Vietnam War was terrific. Being a chopper pilot must have been a very demanding, and this role also shows how tense a place war can and must be.
There were plenty of other roles in this film that deserve praise that I have no room to mention. All of the women were great, showing the other worrying' side to the war. The main woman that I want to point out, was the beautiful, Madeline Stowe, who was great as the Colonel Moore's wife. I found her to bring a feeling to this movie, that I felt it needed, but was not too over the top. Then take the role of funny Sergeant Major Basil Plumley, he was played very well by Sam Elliot. His character's very cynical comment towards all the soldiers was humorous to watch in such a tense and high-risk film.
The story to We were soldiers', was for me, very satisfying. I enjoyed how we first had the chance to see the build up to being chosen to fight in the war, and then the transition to the battlefield was also brought well to the screen. Yet the best part of this story was how viewers get to see, what I call the other side to war, how it affects the people back home. That whole part had me very interested, and really kept the film alive and entertaining. Of course this film was adapted from the novel of the same name, and whether the story is completely accurate I am not so sure of, but the in the end it did not hamper the story in anyway at all for me. I also must give praise to the work of director, Randal Wallace, who did a very good job in bring this film to our screens. I especially like the end of the film, and the tribute that he gave to the certain soldiers in the Vietnam War. I really was impressed by this section of the film.
This film really does give a graphic insight into how bad war must have been. No one wins from war, because the fatality count is just too high for one side to announce we won'. If you are considering watching this film please take note: this film is extremely confronting as it is graphic in picture and emotional in story, (well it was in my case anyhow). To say that I am thankful for not having to fight in war would be an understatement. Yet let me also say that God Bless' every soldier who has taken foot on a battlefield anywhere in the world!
CMRS gives We were soldiers: 4.5 (Very Good  Brilliant Film)