Uncommon Valor

Rating:
Summary: Uncommon Valor: Uncommon Vietnam War movie
Review: This was one of the first movies I saw as a kid about the Vietnam War and it had a profound impact on me. The movie never delves into the political arguments against the war. From the movie's standpoint, we were there, and we left men there. Regardless of whether the war was right or wrong, the only right thing to do now, is get our men back. This was also one of the first Gene Hackman movies I ever saw, and I have been a diehard fan ever since. No other actor can disappear into a role the way Hackman does, and here is a great example of the movie's leading character doing just that, leading. Hackman gives a great performance, balancing the tough Army Colonel with the soft, gentle side of being a father. The cast is exceptional, Fred Ward, Reb Brown and Randall "Tex" Cobb being the standouts. Tim Thomerson has never been better (really). And what better role for a young, up and coming Swayze, who delivers an emotionally deep role. True the plot turns formulaic toward the end, but the superb cast pulls you in and you don't even realize it. But this movie gets it's point across: There are still US Servicemen over there, and whether or not you agreed with the Vietnam War, the only right thing to do is to go back and get them. I highly recommend this movie, if not for the theme of the movie, at least for the superb acting that it contains within. I've seen really bad movies with Gene Hackman, but he was still good, now see him in a really good movie, where he shines.

Rating:
Summary: RAMBO WHO?
Review: This was the first movie to address the previously hidden subject of soldiers missing in action after the Vietnam War. It predates Rambo First Blood II by almost two years. Comparing the two films is like comparing Muhammad Ali to a preliminary boy. Uncommon Valor is an excellent movie - well directed, well scripted and the incredible versatility of Gene Hackman shines through. It was the first movie to show Vietnam veterans in a positive light and changed the groundrules for portraying veterans and the war on the big and small screen. Many people were upset by the film's ending - if you like happy endings this is not for you. Still, it is handled sensitively and doesn't detract from the rest of the film. One shining talent is the fellow who plays Blaster (Reb Brown) whom producer John Milius previously used in Big Wednesday, another classic film. Reb appeared in several other movies as well as a guest spot on the 1970s TV sitcom Happy Days. Another actor who glows like a beacon is Randall "Tex" Cobb. Robert Stack puts in a glowing performance as the millionaire businessman who finances the mission to rescue the POWs. An interesting thing is the fact that this was one of Patrick Swayze's first films. The success of movies like Dirty Dancing and Ghost can be traced back to his role as the young and gung-ho marine who joins the mission to rescue his father. When this film was released in Australia it was called Uncommon Valour and had different opening titles. It was also rated PG. I can't for the life of me understand why the video is rated R. Perhaps the bad odor created by Rambo First Blood II has tainted all movies in this genre. Don't be put off by the rating - this is a movie you will want to play over and over.

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Summary: Redemption and Reconciliation
Review: Uncommon Valor is less a story about Vietnam MIAs and unofficial rescue incursions, and more a journey into the redemption and reconciliation of those of us who came back, leaving others behind. Each of the main characters are reluctantly drawn into a camaraderie that brings, to each person, a form of salvation from past guilt. There is the "life's a blast" surfer who has failed to understand adult responsibility, the "bump in the night" mechanic who knows that darkness kills indiscriminately, the "real life hurts" helicopter pilot who longs for love and attachment, a second helicopter pilot who has succumbed to "life on the good side" as a badge of "having made it" as a minority, the "in protective custody" bully who drives people away only to protect his only fragile ego, and the younger, inexperienced ex-soldier who must avenge his own father's MIA fate in order to reestablish his own feeling of a son's worth. Not so obvious is the leading character (Gene Hackman) as a father whose son is MIA. Hackman's reconciliation is pre-established in a recurring dream portrayed early in the film, and satisfied by the look of his wife as the ending credits apprear. As fantastic and fanciful as some may view this film, it is an adventure in which many of us who returned from Vietnam would gladly take - if not suffer - if we could achieve the same outcomes, evan at the same price.

Rating:
Summary: Hackman over the top in this "Back to Vietnam" picture
Review: While this film is a "Back to Vietnam rescue" picture, it can hardly be placed in that catagory along with miserable films like MIA 1,2,3 and Rambo movies. This movie will grip you in the first 5 minutes as you see am MIA story through the eyes of a father, played by Gene Hackman. Sure, some of the minor acting parts are cheezy, but the truths of loyalty, friendship, and sacrifice come though loud and clear. A Must See!