Review of Apocalypse Now (1979) by Tiberio S — 26 Jan 2015

This is why we go to the movies. Apocalypse Now does not fall into the trap of feeling like it needs to recreate some real life account that's only based on word of mouth anyway. Instead it captures the attitude of the Vietnam War while steering clear of too much political diatribe and focusing on the challenging conflict Capt.

Willard (Martin Sheen) faces: what do I do when my orders are to kill one of my own? It uses the Vietnam War as a chaotic backdrop taking its toll on the Captain, who tosses between justifying his mission and sympathizing with his target, Col.

Kurtz (Marlon Brando), but it could've used any war to tell its story. Some of its most horrific scenes are both eye-opening and entertaining with dark humor at times looming over everything, particularly as it relates to napalm-loving, Wagner-fetishizing Col.

Kilgore (Robert Duvall). Unlike many war movies, which fall into the trap of expecting audiences to feel something no matter what just because the subject is war ( even with no central point to the story), Apocalypse Now has a core, a thing we're getting to that is covered in layers and slowly peeling away frame after frame.

There is constant intrigue, something to always keep us thinking and imagining. Coppola never loses us, and it's a testament to this being his other finest work beside Godfather II.