Review of Platoon (1986) by Jay L — 26 Feb 2011

"The first casualty of war is innocence".

Director Oliver Stone's Academy Award winning masterpiece. Platoon is a powerhouse of emotion and moral. It's one of the best Vietnam war films ever crafted, a realistic and revealing look at troop mentality and the morals that drove them. An ingenious film that focuses more on the mental aspects of war rather than the physical aspects. Effective, dark, powerful,.

And bold, Platoon is a cloud of drama that rains suspense, tension, and action all the way through. Epic battle sequences that capture the intensity brilliantly, and a story that sucks you in completely until the very end. A war film that transforms into the ultimate cat and mouse game. It's pure power that unleashes an emotional fistful of explosive fury. An unforgettable film from a master of cinema. A true tribute to the unbelieveably brave soldiers that fought for the United States deep in the thick forests of Vietnam.

Stone assembled an all star cast including Charlie Sheen who is brilliant in one of the best roles of his career, Tom Berenger who is menacing in the best role of his career, and Willem Dafoe who is also brilliant as well. It also includes performances by Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Keith David, and Johnny Depp early in their careers. Brilliant acting by a young all-star cast.

One of Oliver Stone's best films. A thrill machine that pumps out heartfelt emotion every second, a truly well made and epic tribute to every soldier that ever stepped foot into the insanity of Vietnam. An iconic film.