Review of We Were Soldiers (2002) by Peter N — 11 Aug 2012

Mel Gibson has his fair share of epic war films, which despite the fact that they all take place in very different historical eras, each one feels like a remake of the last. After defying the authority of England in two different war dramas, Mel takes the battle to 'Nam.

The film's merits are in the fact that it's much different than most classic Vietnam movies, putting the focus more on the actual heroics of the soldiers and their families instead of the aspects that drove them insane.

One doesn't have to approve of war in order to appreciate the sacrifices made by those who fought, and this film reminds us of that. However, it fails to distinguish itself from the countless other war movies released through the years, relying on cliche film making techniques.

For that reason it fails to be stellar.