We Were Soldiers

Rating: Null/10 (1 March 2002)

What an excellent movie this turned out to be. Closer to Braveheart than to The Patriot, but really a movie in it's own right, Wallace and Gibson deliver the goods here. I had read the critics reviews of this movie, and they rated from fair to good, but none glowering like for Black Hawk Down. While a picture of a totally different nature than BHD, it still deservers it's due.
The theme of this movie is not just war, but the impact on the lives of Americans that being a soldier brings - a valid theme if I've ever heard one. And, after reading the reviews, I think it's safe to say that due to the Armageddon's, Legends of the Fall's, Stepmom's and even Wallace's The Patriot, that we are a bit cynical of false bravado and heart string pulling. But I think in this case the critics were a bit oversensitive to it. Yes, on a few occasions Wallace is heavy handed in depicting the emotions at hand, bordering on melodramatic, but overall the transgressions are sparse and negligible. Furthermore, Gibson nails the fatherly Lt. Colonel leading the first ever charge of the Air Cav and Sam Elliot turns in a role he was perhaps born to play. Chris Klein certainly doesn't do his career any damage in a supporting role, and the cinematography and choreography in this movie are top notch - two make or break areas for the modern war movie.
So, that being said and me being ex-Cav myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I will confess to getting teary eyed at a few points, and a guy in his mid-40s that I assumed to be a Vietnam Vet full out crying at the movies end is as good of a testament to authenticity as anything I can give you. I was genuinely moved by the emotions of the movie, and captivated by the combat scenes. If the critics were looking for more than that, let 'em keep looking. 3 1/2 stars.