Review of The Thin Red Line (1998) by Scott M — 22 Feb 2011
Terrence Malick brings his signature style to the war film genre, and just like every other movie he's ever made, when he makes a film you better believe he will not just make a version of something, he will make THE version of it.
The film is determined to show war as it is, without any embellishments, and in my opinion the film succeeds greatly at giving the viewer even a small taste of the experience of a soldier in the midst of a battle.
There's no effort to compose the action into scenes, but rather the battle of Guadalcanal sprawls across the film at its own pace, as we experience the battle from beginning to end. Malick's genius allowed him to attract a unparalleled cast, either of actors who were already stars or actors who would become the next generation of stars.
The cast delivers every bit as much to the film as Malick, selling the realism of the war not only with their screen presence but also with some of the best voiceover ever delivered. Additionally, the film is glorious and beautiful, and even though we are watching people die, Malick pauses often to focus on the world around the soldiers, deliberately juxtaposing life and death.
The film is serenely poetic in its delivery, and a welcome change of pace from your standard World War 2 movie.
This review of The Thin Red Line (1998) was written by Scott M on 22 Feb 2011.
The Thin Red Line has generally received very positive reviews.
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