Rating: 
Summary: War drama from makers of Braveheart
Review: Mel Gibson stars as Commanding Officer Hal Moore, in this war drama based on true events. The film details the lives of the platoon, and their battle in the Ia Drang Valley, against the North Vietnamese, the first major battle in the Vietnam War. We first see the troops training, and spending time with their families, until they are flown over to battle. The rest of the film shows the 3 day battle in graphic detail, while cutting the action, to show the soldiers families receiving the bad news that their husband/father has died. The films message is that these men in war, were united and fought for each other. Nothing separated them while they defended their homeland. The film shows the profound effect of the war on the soldiers families, not just the Americans, but also the enemies. This film is directed very well, we get beautiful aerial shots, and 360 degrees view on the battle field. Acting is also very well done. The war scenes, have graphic violence, but not as graphic compared to other war films. The only problem I had is that there wasn't much story narrative, just mostly fighting. This DVD has a commentary, deleted scenes, and a behind the scenes documentary. Anyone who is interested in military history will enjoy this, as it is very historically accurate. As well as any Mel Gibson fan will enjoy this heroic tale. 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: A thought
Review: At the end of the movie, Barry Pepper says that the soldiers were not fighting for America, but for each other. Fair enough, but this seems to miss a significant point.If they hadn't been there in the first place - they wouldn't have NEEDED to fight for each other - so what what he's really saying is that deep down, these men fought and died for nothing at all. They were there because they were told to be there - thats all.there was no higher purpose - no great cause like in World War 2 or even the Civil War. These men volunteered for the US army to defend America, then found themselves hideously mis-used in a war that was none of America's damn business.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to watch, but must see.
Review: A must see for anyone who went through the Viet Nam experience. Hard to watch without bringing back memories and emotions. Makes one very proud to have been a military member during that time, regardless of the politics of the war.
Rating: 
Summary: Lest We Forget.....
Review: "We Were Soldiers" is a Viet Nam War movie unlike any other. Other movies of this genre, exceptional films like "Apocalypse Now", "Platoon" or even "The Green Beret" focus on a message of either anti or pro the Viet Nam war. This movie focus on the brave soldiers who fought and the families they left behind. It is the story of Lt. Col.Hal Moore played by Mel Gibson and his troops as they are among the first Americans to be in battle against North Viet Nam in the early stages of the war.
After the opening scenes of the men finding out they will be deployed and some very touching moments as they spend their last few days with their families, they leave for their target, the la Drang Valley. The encounters with the North Vietnamese are very violent and graphic, but depict the horror that these men went through. There is a poignant moment where a photographer (Barry Pepper) who has been put in the position of fighting, lays his gun down, picks up his camera and shoots the atrocities he see around him. (By the way this photographer, Joe Galloway co authored with Moore the book this film is based on.)
On the other side of the world, while these brave men fight, the wives have already started recieving the dreaded telegrams. You cannot help but feel for these grieving woman and their families.
This film is a real tribute to the Viet Nam Vets, and they should be remembered well.
The cast also includes Sam Elliot as the rough gruff Sgt Major, Madeline Stowe as Moore's wife, and with Greg Kinnear and Chris Klein. It was directed by Randall Wallace (writer of Braveheart)
The DVD (Paramount Widescreen Collection) is 5 stars in my book. Excellent cinematography, the 5.1 surround sound was perfect, I felt like the war was going on right in my living room,the widescreen picture was top rate, even the night time scenes were clear and bright. If you have already seen this movie and are wondering about the DVD go for it! There are lots of extra goodies too, including commentary,deleted scenes and behind the scenes. There are subtitles in English for those that may need them. If you havn't seen it and like war movies, (this one is very graphic, so it is not for the sensitive)you will be captivated by this one.
thanx laurie
Rating:
Summary: Hollywood Finally gets one right on the heart....
Review: In the latest wave of war movies between the line of Saving Private Ryan and Thin Red Line comes We Were Soldiers staring Mel Gibson as Hal Moore. Moore is a family man who is dedicated to everything including his men that he is ordered to send most to their final destination...Vietnam. The year is 1965 and they have to protect and take over La Drang Valley also known as "The Valley of Death" as Moore and copany embark on this noble and suicidal mission they have one thing in common. They are fighting not for America and not even for freedom but for eachother. Mel Gibson brings out the raw emotion and the courage that is shown through out this movie. A commander that had to be strong and brave and knowingly order thousands to their death. After this movie you see the other side of war you see what it is like to be the last and only one to see the whole thing alive and in one piece. You see the courage that all the american men had to be in the war that they were in. All the men were in one way or another married to eachother in combat. Each of them had a common respect and courtesy towards one another and each wanted to see the next make it to the next day. "Till death do us part" is the message that you hear through out this film and even after death parting is no easier. This film is one that I would highly recommend for the young and the old alike to watch. Afterwards share and maybe if you are close to the Vietnam Wall, go pay a visit to those names that you have just seen on this movie and see what happens to you. I know that you never knew them but I promise you will share in the grief that their families faced when they heard of their loved ones passing.
Rating:
Summary: By far the best ...
Review: This movie is by far the best Vietnam era movie made. A must see for anyone who wants realism. Realism into the lives of the people involved - realism to war - realism to the times. All I can say is - incredibly done! A must see & a must own.
Rating:
Summary: PT 2: the war across the ocean: right message to the future?
Review: Technotactically, the film shows the fire-swept weapons battlefield but with a new twist; both sides have full automatic assault rifles; M16s versus "AK-47s" (AKMs); with a trigger squeeze a group of men bunched together can be cut down. Moore has anticipated this, and as Crandall flies in ammo boxes, the later loaded 5.56mm magazines are distributed by conscious effort of the leaders--he and Plumley---to keep a "wall of fire" between them and the enemy regimental headquarters they have stumbled onto at the base of a forested mountain in the Ia Drang valley. Gibson's time spent weapons handling with the Benning Rangers results in Moore's palm slapping the bolt catch on his M16 after every magazine reload like a professional Soldier, an efficiency us lefties have a hard hard time duplicating. The need for responsive Close Air Support (CAS) by a slow-moving aircraft like the A-1 SkyRaiders that can drop napalm is something we lack in the present day; making it questionable how we will fare if given the long odds for survival Moore's men faced. We see the technotactical ploys of the enemy to flank, countered by Moore's massing, then the enemy's "belt buckle" hugging countered by Moore's "mad minute" which shows that conflicts are often won or lost in the minds of the Commanders. The Commander with the last remaining trump usually triumphs--in those dark days in the Ia Drang, Moore's "broken arrow" request for CAS and ability to feed fresh troops into battle by helicopter held together by his skilled on-the-scene, personal leadership won the fight. After the battle, where Moore had acted with complete disregard for his own safety, he feels survivor's guilt as a moral man aware of his fallen troopers sacrifices and insists that someday AP photographer Joe Galloway tell the sleeping American public what his men did to protect their freedom and the price they paid; the genesis of the book and this film. Moore knows that if he does not act, his men will be as forgotten as much as they were ignored when they left---he will not tolerate this--he fights back---he just doesn't bring his men back home alive or to be buried; he brings them back home to our hearts so they will be remembered forever by every generation of living Americans when they reflect on the lives of peace they get to enjoy and how they must also be Soldiers even if they are young. The film as all films are under a serious time pressure, has two huge flaws that can fortunately can be fixed by a "director's cut" using some additional scenes. As-is, the film may make you think that tactical AIRCRAFT did most of the killing and if our men-on-the-ground endured so much agony, their families endured so much grief, why not just leave our ground Soldiers out of it? If all war is; is the act of exploding and killing, why not just do it from the air as western democracies are wont to embrace as a panacea? This is the result of a misunderstanding that the film's scripting/editing creates; a lack of geostrategic perspective that was the true cause of the men being hastily sent in 1965. Unless I failed to hear the film clearly, we are presented that the 1st Air Cavalry was sent in as a symbolic gesture to prop up a faltering South Vietnam, when the truth is much more than that. I believe a scene should be added where the two senior Pentagon officers point a finger at a map of South Vietnam and describe how its narrow at the Central Highlands near Pleiku and with the enemy massing somewhere there, they could cut the nation into two by ground maneuver. The scene where Moore and Plumley land and get their orders to seek and find the massing enemy should reinforce this point by a sub-title caption reading "Assembly Area, X miles from Pleiku" etc. to connect the fact that the 1st Air Cavalry was sent to counter the MANEUVER of the enemy from holding important ground not as just another way of killing enemies using helicopters and Sky Soldiers. Another missing aspect of the film is that the Army was developing a light tracked tank called the AR/AAV that would be deliverable by helicopter but was not available at the time of the 1965 battle. The details of this are recounted by General Moore in General David L. Grange's "Air-Mech-Strike" book. The first scenes in the movie where Pentagon officers select Moore where they mention his experimental parachute work for General Gavin should be modified in the director's cut to bring up the fact that Moore had worked on the AR/AAV light airdroppable tank that could be lifted by a helicopter but its not ready and the situation in Vietnam is too critical to wait. The officers should remark that the Air Cav will have to fight with what they carry in their hands and on their backs. They should end by saying they hope it will be enough. In this subtle way, the conclusion of the movie would be more accurate and not feed into the current aversion to using ground troops which results in enemies escaping, while providing the audience a valuable "lessons learned" that America must IMPROVE the WAY she sends her men to fight; by declaring war so the entire nation rallies behind the men spiritually and physically to include supplying them with ALL the tools they need--to include a light tracked armored vehicle so gatling guns will not be left behind as Custer did. If the weather had gone sour, the "guns" on the aircraft could not have flown to assist Moore in his successful stand---future Air Cav type units must instead land with their own gatling guns on armored mounts with lots of ammo to insure they can sweep the areas of "indians" and win the fight to come home again.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good
Review: Not since A Bridge Too Far, have I seen such an intersting and inside look, at the soldier's and Air Cav's, role in 1965. Well edited action sequences, fire fights, naplam drops as well as interpersonal relationships with loved ones. Gibson and Elliot know their craft and their power as actors-are not to be underestimated. The battles scenes are excellent-not short stunts-but long & tiring dangerous confrontations-that leave the viewer on the edge of the seat. And they are not exaggerated. Pretty true to the original events, from Novemeber 1965. GET IT. Watch the film then check out the Director's excellent commentary. You feel like a part of the team. Techincally, very well done...with strong characters by Gibson, Elliot and all who contributed.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD MOVIE
Review: SAM ELLIOT BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR ,MEL GIBSON BEST ACTOR. THE FUNNIEST SCENE WHEN A SGT. SAYS HI TO SGM.AND SGM.REPLYING BACK WITH A SHOT DOWN. SERIOUS SCENE WHEN THE PHOTOGRAPHER TRADED HIS CAMERA FOR A M-16.THE MOVIE FIRST SHOT IS OF THE OLD OFFICER HOUSING IN FT.BENNING GA.FROM THERE IT FOLLOWS LT.COL HAL MOORE FROM FAMILY MAN TO ARMY COMMANDER IN COMBAT.THIS IS A REAL MOVIE THAT DOESN'T SUGAR COAT THE [butt] KICKING THAT THE VIET CONG HANDED US
Rating:
Summary: Easy five stars.
Review: We Were Soldiers is an easy five stars because, like Saving Private Ryan, it is powerful, moving, realistic, and yes....very, VERY violent! The bloody violence & carnage in this masterpiece is even more excessive & graphic than Saving Private Ryan. Mel Gibson does a spendid job as the main character who leads a group of American soldiers into hellacious battle. This movie isn't for the squimiesh, but it is definetly a true epic. Watch it and enjoy it if you're able to stomach it. It will open your eyes to the disturbing realization of what war is really like. If you loved Saving Private Ryan, Windtalkers, Full Metal Jacket, and Pearl Harbor, then you will surely enjoy this amazing motion picture.
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