Rating: 
Summary: The worst movie ever?
Review: A classic example of superb actors being overwhelmingly WASTED by mind-numbingly bad plot-lines and shoddily constructed dialogue. Granted, I was somewhat biased due to the fact that my copy of the video was strangely subtitled in Spanish (a fairly long tangent that is not really worthy of discussion here...), but all the same, the movie was lackluster at best. I don't want to give away the ending, but let me at least mention a couple of my pet peeves: 1) What was the deal with Serling's (Denzel Washington) alcoholism? It was just kind of casually mentioned here and alluded to there throughout the movie, without any real evidence that he was anything more than a social drinker. 2) Same thing, but even more so with Ilario's (Matt Damon) heroin (morphine? other IV drug?) addiction. I mean, in a normal movie, that could be used fairly well, but mentioning it out of the blue as Serling did was just downright stupid and inserted for no apparent reason. 3) What was the deal on the friendship between Serling and Hershberg (Michael Moriarty)? I don't know about you, but I sincerely hope that the godfather of my children never threatens to end my career and ruin my life while giving as his excuse nothing more than the fact that the "White House is breathing down my back." Allow me to summarize: I was EXCEEDINGLY displeased with this movie, and post this message only so that no one else fall into the same unfortunate trap that I did: It's not worth the rental fee, much less the [cost] to buy the thing.
Rating: 
Summary: A moving, fictional story of US soldiers in Iraq War I.
Review: A moving but fictional story of two US soldiers who both fought during Iraq War I. We find Denzel's character, Lt Col Serling, as a tank officer in a desk job after the war, having been deeply affected by a friendly fire incident that occurred on his watch. As a favor to keep this good soldier who's since become a sot, his commander assigns him the task of investigating whether a KIA deserves a post-humous Medal of Honor. LTC Serling is rather stunned to open the file and see it is a female helicopter pilot, Meg Ryan's character: Captain Walden. As Serling goes about interviewing witnesses, he discovers that the pieces of their stories conflict. The manner in which the stories conflict is played out in a series of flashbacks with varied interpretations. Serling becomes determined to find the truth and through finding the truth, being somehow able to atone for his own mistakes. The truth surrounding CPT Walden's fate becomes imperative to Serling's own fate and in dealing with his past demons. This is a well-acted movie, and you will want to know the truth too as the plot builds and the flashbacks show each conflicting version of an unfortunate, complicated situation.
Meg Ryan is miscast despite the film's efforts to change her appearance by dying and cutting her hair to have her appear as more of a "toughie" than a "cutie". She also speaks with a Southern accent which she can't get quite gritty enough with such a naturally high, sweet voice. And it's hard to get around those big, light blue, sensitive eyes of hers. There are several military-incorrect instances -- those of you are are also one of "them" with prior service know what I'm talking about. Most glaring is that while CPT Walden IS post-humously deserving of a medal, it is a stretch that it should be the Medal of Honor -- I won't go further into this here because the movie's is a good one and worth seeing for other reasons.
Scott Glen, Lou Diamond Philips, and a then unknown Matt Damon are part of the supporting cast. Check out an anorexic (in the "future" part of the movie) Matt in one of his first roles -- he forced himself to lose so much weight in order to fit the part that he has since said in interviews that he made himself very, very sick. And I'd have to say that a plumper Matt IS a better looking Matt. Also, you can catch a pre-Sam the Hobbit AKA Sean Astin in a small role.
Rating:
Summary: Bre's
Review: A powerful, insightful story about war and the effect it has on people's lives. Well-acted, well-directed and well-written. Undoubtedly one of the most powerful war movies I have ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Meg Ryan as Karen Walden
Review: Apart from the credits going to director Ed Zwick and to screenplay writer Patrick Duncan who successfully managed to apply the "Rashomon" technique into a dramatic (and controversial) depiction of war, the fine performance of a strong cast really added up to make "Courage Under Fire" a worthwhile place in every movie buff's library. Many reviewers have recognized Denzel Washington's great job as a tortured soldier struggling to find the truth that might help him put down an unbearable burden, but it was Meg Ryan who actually amazed me. After watching this movie for the fourth time or so I finally figured out why I adored her so much in a role that she didn't originally seem to show her best at. Putting aside her culminating, undeniable success in a streak of romantic comedies, I remember having seen her in just a few dramas like "Top Gun", "The Presidio", "The Doors", "When a man loves a woman", "Proof of life"..., and (no offense to Ryan fans) she never gave a creditable performance in any of them. But somehow, she truly shone in this unexpected role of a female commanding officer under fire. I've been wondering... what if the role were given to Sigourney Weaver... or to Linda Hamilton...? Well, the portrayal might have been "tougher" and the war scenes much more exciting, but I'm sure the movie wouldn't have given me this strange kind of emotion... Then I realized something. Meg Ryan looked so fragile, so vulnerable as Captain Karen Walden when she faced a critical situation that required all deadliest decisions in a matter of seconds. And as fragile as she looked, she ended up handling it in the most valorous way a person could do. Only Ryan's natural "cuteness" and vulnerability could render the image of Karen Walden such candor, credibility and merit. That image has impressed me quite a lot and strengthened my admiration towards all servicewomen who go out there serving the country, women who are ready to sacrifice their lives, not for a Medal of Honor or anything, but for a good cause they chose. Remember how Denzel Washington as Lt. Col. Serling corrected a White House P.R. agent when that guy mentioned the Medal of Honor?. "They don't WIN it. They receive it. It's not a contest". Those lines wrapped up the whole plot and defined the real quality of this 5-star movie.
Rating:
Summary: Tour de Force Struggle For Truth: Dramatic Pressure Cooker
Review: Courage Under Fire is perhaps the best Denzel Washington drama yet. A moving story of a US Army investigator who is assigned to review the status of a female Congressional Medal of Honor candidate (posthumously), and in doing so awakens the demons of his own past. Denzel's powerful, dynamic performace is emotionally riveting, in his lone quest for truth against-all-odds. This high-stress film is absolutely not for the fainthearted. An absolute must see for anyone who's ever been under intense pressure or faced with incredible odds. I always find myself watching this movie around final exam week...
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever made!
Review: Courage Under Fire is simply an amazing movie. It shows that valor and bravery are still rewarded. The movie portrays Denzel Washington as a drinking, troubled man, who is trying to find the truth. Once he comes to grips with that truth, he becomes a truly different person. It is a truly wonderful movie. END
Rating:
Summary: Great tearjerker
Review: Courage Under Fire moved me when I saw it originally on cable when it first came out. The somewhat cheesy tank battle scenes where the friendly fire incident takes place almost made me lose interest, but I'm glad that I stayed and watched the entire thing. The film is very well acted, and was the first time I saw Matt Damon. Matt has the ability to play his characters with a vulnerability that is mesmerizing and I remember hoping we would be seeing more from hi (who knew?). The film is formatted as current-day investigation with flashbacks that take different perspectives on the events as the investigator (Denzel) gets different versions of the story. If that format bothers you, stay away from this one, but otherwise, I recommend it highly. I have been waiting a long time for the DVD of this move and finally gave up LAST MONTH and bought the VHS edition.
Rating:
Summary: Good movie, compelling story...
Review: Courage Under Fire stars Denzel Washington, who plays a very convincing LTC Nathaniel Sterling, a tank commander in the Gulf War; and Meg Ryan as a CPT Karen Walden, a pilot killed in action during the Gulf War who is considered for recommendation for the Medal of Honor, the first woman to be considered for this award. Meg Ryan appears in the movie only in several of the numerous flashbacks. The movie revolves around two storylines: the facts behind the death of Meg Ryan's character, CPT Walden, and the life of LTC Sterling who has the unfortunate assignment to uncover what really happened when CPT Walden was killed. Throughout the movie, LTC Sterling must face his own demons, including a drinking problem, difficulties with his wife, and a Washington reporter hounding him for information on the story he's researching. Lou Diamond Phillips and Matt Damon also appear in the movie, both of whom portray soldiers who witnessed the events that led to CPT Walden's death.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, Moving and Well worth a large amount of attention.
Review: Courage Under Fire was a very powerful film which caught my attention when I was reading a special on Matt Damon. I decided to rent it with my friend when we were on our way to the movie store. It captured me and I paid no attention that my brother and friend made fun of it. Denzel Washington, and Meg Ryan deliver a powerful story with heartbreak and love at the same time. Law and Orders Michael Morariaty also stars as Washingtons general. The Realism of the desert Storm War was recreated with the same power as Platoon, and, Heaven and Earth. An all-star cast in an all star movie makes a perfect match, and this is a match. Denzel Washington lives up to his performance in Phileadelphia, Meg Ryan lives up to hers in City of Angels. Matt Damon and Michael Moriarity costar in this film of a rescue mission during Desert Storm, the death of a CO, and the cover-up surrounding her death while one man tries to give her the Medal of Honor, but it being posthumous, Washington May find out how it was the hard way. while losing many men to drugs, war, disease, and mental instability, he will find out how precious his marriage, and his family are, and how he must stick by them even while an accidental murder is on his consience. -Zack Barrett
Rating:
Summary: Mettle Of Honor And Courage
Review: COURAGE UNDER FIRE, stars Denzel Washington as a Gulf War veteran, who is asked to determine whether or not Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) deserves to get the medal of honor. She was killed in the line of duty in the Gulf under mysterious circumstances. Before a final decision is made about her candidacy, Washinton's Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling, must discover what really happened to her. As the investigation begins, Serling's own actions during the war, also come back to haunt him. Directed by Edward Zwick, this great drama, boasts fine performances from Washington, Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, and a very young Matt Damon, as a medic, who is tortured by his experiences in Walden's unit..The film's two storylines fit together very well and are equally compelling. The movie is perfectly paced and the combat action is well done. The DVD has a DTS soundtrack, a brief production featurette, television spots/ theatrical trailer, and infomative commentary track from the director. I have seen this movie a handfull of times and it gets better upon each viewing. The DVD has excellent sound and picture quality that only enhances my enjoyment of the picture. COURAGE UNDER FIRE is recommended and well worth your time.
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