Review of Heartbreak Ridge (1955) by Jay L — 04 Feb 2011

Clint Eastwood's Heartbreak Ridge almost mirrors Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, but let's set the record straight...this is no Full Metal Jacket. It is however, a solid and effective film, Eastwood crafted a thoroughly hardboiled and engaging military film. It's packed with some hardcore dialogue and classic Eastwood one-liners throughout, as well as enough action to keep any action fan happy. Heartbreak Ridge is certainly not one of Eastwood's best films, but far, far from his worst. A great war film that belongs in any collection of war flicks. It's a razor-sharp, intensely snappy and utterly submissive film about life in the Marines, and the differences between the different generations of soldiers. Old-school, intense, and experienced meets new-school, cocky, and lazy in this action- packed tale of loyalty and comaraderie. Just another great film to add to the pile in Clint Eastwood's legendary and iconic resume'.

Clint Eastwood gives a stellar performance as a hardcore marine lifer sent to kick a group of inexperienced lazy and young marines into high gear, and ready them both physically and mentally for combat operations. His dialogue is second to none, snappy, fast, clever, and hilarious it never gets old. Mario Van Peebles stars as well and is good throughout.