Review of Platoon (1986) by Tyler L — 07 Dec 2012

''I think now, looking back, we did not fight the enemy; we fought ourselves. The enemy was in us.''.

A young recruit in Vietnam faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Charlie Sheen: Pvt. Chris Taylor.

Tom Berenger:Sgt. Bob Barnes.

Willem Dafoe: Sgt. Elias Grodin.

Platoon, another Vietnam film, another study of soldiers and the harsh realities of war. It shows the enemy to be not just the opposing Viet Cong but amongst them each other thus what transpires is predictable yet interesting to behold.

Not as detailed as The Deer Hunter, and by no means either a bad effort, there is some good ideas in here. It shows the two different types of soldiers: ones like Chris and Elias who have morals and righteousness or ones like Bob Barnes corrupt, uncaring and mercilessly cold.

There's a level of humour too in here, it's not all doom and gloom. The narration keeps you hooked for more as Charlie tells the story. Each character fleshed out with his own unique personality, even dealing with all sensitive subjects like the difference between right and wrong, killing without cause, raping and ultralistic macho rivalry.

The music in this was emotional but that main tune did tend to get on my nerves being repeated too much which lessened it's effect.

Full out carnage, bloody violence, depictions of innocent civilians getting hurt for no reason. All perfect examples of the dirty war of Vietnam. Platoon shows it in spades!

Memorable scene for me? Yes you've guessed it... Willem Dafoe's final montage, betrayed and left throwing his hands up in one final act of existence.

Star cast with all players doing their best. Even a young Johnny Depp with his guitar when he's first on screen in the movie.

Charlie Sheen can act too, best film I've seen him in. PERIOD.

So overall a above average war epic which is a detailed journey. Oliver Stone(did you spot him :P) has directed a blazing tribute and made a point at the same time.