Rating: 
Summary: Great and emotionally devastating war flick
Review: I have to confess that I wasn't quite prepared for this film. I was expecting something at least decent, but instead saw what I believe to be one of the best war films that I have ever seen.This is the latest in a string of films that attempts to make the combat sequences as accurate and as life like as possible. I have read a number of books about wars, warfare, and battle, and in them one constantly reads about the amount of smoke that there is on a battlefield. Most films take cinematic liberties, however, making the battlefield as clear as possible in order that the viewer can follow the action. In WE WERE SOLDIERS, however, much of the battle takes place is an artificial fog. One of the best things about this film, as opposed to other battle films, is that you get to see how the battle looked from both sides. The Vietnamese are not presented as faceless, almost inhuman forces as in most films, but we get to see them as human beings, and their own strategy and tactics are displayed. One shot in particular stood out for me. A Vietnamese soldier pauses in the hollowed out part of a tree, breathing hard, changing the clip on his rifle, and then putting on the bayonet. Then, he stands for a second, battling his fear, before forcing himself to move from cover and attack. You can probably count the number of war films on one hand that would have portrayed the enemy in such a human light. The film as a whole, despite containing some very intense battle sequences, is as concerned to focus on the human dimension as much as the military. This may be the most purely emotional war film that I have ever seen. It is also filled with many individuals acts of moral courage, such as when Col. Moore's wife demands that the cab company deliver all the telegram's from the war department to her instead of the individual wives, telegram's that informed them of their husbands' deaths. The cast was, for the most part, excellent. Mel Gibson was as solid as usual. Barry Pepper was marvelous as reporter (and real life book co-author) Joey Galloway. I wonder why we don't see more of him. He has been thoroughly enjoyable in everything I have seen him in. Sam Eliott has always been on of my favorites, and he stood out in this one as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley. A very good movie, and while I would caution that it is very, very violent, and graphically so, I would also urge anyone who has been putting this one off, to give it a try. I think they will be moved and astonished.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Everyone in the country should be made to sit down and watch this movie. In fact every high school student should be made to watch this film as part of graduation requirements. See it!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderfully Realistic Depiction Of Combat!
Review: This film represents a wonderful example of how well Hollywood can sometimes transform the truths and spirit of a book into a moving and inspiring experience. It is a terrific period piece in the sense that it captures the essence of a now long-gone spirit of concern and empathy that older and compassionate senior officers had for their soldiers. Mel Gibson seems to be aging very well as evidenced by his wonderful characterization of Lt. Col. Harold Moore, a career Army officer who lives both fully and well, but who is at the same time also totally devoted and committed to meet the responsibility he's entrusted with in terms of the welfare of his officers and men. The movie, based on the historical fact of the first large scale engagement by American soldiers with the regular North Vietnamese Army (NVA), as opposed to the clashes with the guerilla-style Viet Cong later on, traces the extensive training and preparation of the regiment in the experimental use of helicopters to transport soldiers rapidly into enemy-held areas. The risks associated with this new style of tactical warfare quickly becomes apparent; eight to ten serial efforts are required to fully mobilize the unit, and the men first dropped find themselves dangerously exposed in the event a vastly superior enemy force engages. Of course, this is exactly what happens, and the brutal exchange that then ensues is the backdrop for the movie. Over a period of some five days, the encircled American forces lose almost half their personnel, yet are able to kill more than 1,800 of the attacking Vietnamese soldiers. Seen in the cold light of day, this exchange becomes a de-facto documentary on the inherent risks of combat, and the quicksilver nature of modern warfare. The cast helps here, for veterans like Sam Elliot (as the Sgt. Rock-like Sergeant Major) and Barry Pepper (as the UPI reporter who forges a life-long friendship with Wallace and helps to write the book) add to the sense of gritty reality the film captures so well. Madeline Stowe is also very good as the enduring wife of the Colonel who also acts to lead the women of the organization in the men's absence. Like another recent movie, "Black Hawk Down", this film helps to de-mystify modern warfare without glorifying or judging it. This is a wonderful film, and one I heartily recommend. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film
Review: I'm amazed at the number of critics who have said this film it too melodramatic, that dying soldiers saying things like "tell my wife I love her" is overdone. The movie used direct quotes Lt. Herrick and Jimmy Tokagowa (sp?) as they died, that's exactly what they said according to Hal Moore. Perhaps he should apologize for the dying soldiers who couldn't come up with something more clever to say as they bled the ground red. Critics who charge this movie as inaccurate need to read the book. This movie follows it accurately and warmly. In fact, if you like this movie, you will like the book it came from. The N. Vietnamese were slaughtered in wave after wave according to the book, often charging directly at soldiers. Lt. Herrick's platoon on the knoll reported seeing soldiers standing up in the brush just to laugh at them. They were often shot by our forces. Besides, what do any of us writing these reviews know what that battle was like? Were any of us in the 7th cavalry that day? This movie is excellent. It's filled with great drama and characters we can identify with. Proof that war is dramatic enough as it is.
Rating:
Summary: A Moving true saga of the American soldier
Review: As a veteran who served in the military for 35 years as well as a military history buff, I found this DVD to be the best that I have yet seen on the Vietnam War.A wonderful moving account of the men who had to fight on the ground with little understanding of the situation by the brass behind the desks. I think that this movie should be required viewing on leadership principles in the military, much as "12 O'Clock High" was some 20 years ago.
A terrific movie... and splendid acting by Mel Gibson.
Rating:
Summary: A tribute to 58,000 Americans Who Gave All.
Review: We've all seen Hollywood's anti-Vietnam War, anti-Vietnam War Veteran films from "Platoon" and "The Deer Hunter", to "Full Metal Jacket" and "Good Morning Vietnam". In each, the director could not help but poke fun at our soldiers or their leaders, could not help but contrive situations to get their political point across, and in the end ruin the reputation of hundreds of thousands of men and women who served their country honorably during the Vietnam War. If such films as mentioned above make you feel good about not getting drafted, not serving, or for dodging the draft, then please don't watch "We Were Soldiers", it will ruin your day. However, if you believe in Duty, Honor, Country and how, even during such an unpopular war as Vietnam, the American Citizen Soldier defines heroics, selfless sacrifice and love of country, just as history taught us of those who fought during the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WW I, WW II and Korea, then don't miss this film. In "We Were Soldiers", you will witness a battle between four (4) regular North Vietnam Divisions and one Division of US Army 7th Air-Cav troops. Outnumbered 10 to 1 during this battle, the US Army's 7th Air-Cavalry Division was dropped into the middle of a fixed enemy position and the mayhem that followed. In a true depiction of the "Fog of War", with a realism of events and the truest form of espirit de corp., this movie will transport you to the edge of your seat and senses. What adds to the power of this film is that it is a true story, the events depicted actually took place, and it is told by retired Lt. General Moore, who led these men into battle as a Lt. Col., at the time. This is a wonderful tribute to not only the men of the US Army 7th Air-Cavalry, but to all 58,000 Americans "Who Gave All", in this most unpopular War.
Rating:
Summary: one of the better war movies
Review: We Were Soldiers is based on the factual events that happened in 1965 at the battle of Ia Drang Valley. I've heard it said that this is one of the better war movies, and one of the best Viet Nam movies. I'd have to agree. Mel Gibson puts in a stunning performance (as usual) at Col Hal Moore, the leader of the 1st battallion, 7th calvary (Custer's unit). Greg Kinnear has a great performance. Barry Pepper does a wonderful job as Joe Galloway, the reporter who was there in the fight. And it is great to see Sam Elliot again, in a role that seems tailor made for him. And many other actors put in great performances. It may have helped that Hal Moore, Joe Galloway, and Bruce Crandall (Kinnear's character) were there to help guide the filmmakers. This movie also spends time focussing on the soldier's wives at home, where Madeleine Stowe and especially Keri Russell and Simbi Khali (not much screen time for Khali, but the few minutes she was on, she was phenomenal) do a great job. You don't too often see the effect at home, but you do here. We Were Soldiers also portrays the enemy as soldiers and honorable men, instead of the stereotypical '...' shown in most Viet Nam movies. And as much as I like movies like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, and Casualties of War, it is nice to see the soldiers portrayed as soldiers doing their job rather than the psychos, drug addicts, and the likes shown in other movies. This is what Speilberg was hoping for when he made Saving Private Ryan. Randall Wallace (writer/director) teams up again with Gibson. These guys made Braveheart together, and We Were Soldiers is almost as good. The effects are good, and William Hoy does such a great job editing, I think he deserves an Oscar. Nick Glennie-Smith scored the movie, and his work doesn't detract, nor is it swallowed up by the action. This is just an overall great movie. And the dvd is a good one also. There is a commentary track by Wallace, and while it isn't the most entertaining I've watched, he does a good job (I do wish Mel Gibson had been on the track with him). There are numerous deleted scenes and a 20 minute behind the scenes documentary, "Getting it Right." It's a good dvd.
Rating: 
Summary: True military life
Review: This film is the best Vietnam war movie I have ever seen and the first one I have seen on this battle, in particular. It gives an accurate view of military life as I have seen it (I am an ex-military wife). The battle strategies were evident and interesting to follow. This film shows the stark realities of close combat fighting. It made me really want to read the book to get more. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry Depiction of war
Review: Seeing this movie in the theater I walked on being so disgusted at the poor portrayal of Vietnam. Overglorified battles when actual combat in Vietnam were chaotic skirmishes... it looked like a civil war battle with all the Vietnamese charging blindly and falling by the dozens... riiiight. There is a laughable scene where Mel spins around and miraculously shoots a Vietnamese character when he comes a little too close to the group of American officers. This is one of the few movies which I have walked out on.
Rating: 
Summary: Adequate
Review: The start of the film tries way too hard and is not very interesting. The very poor music does not help. Cliches abound. The movie does build well, particularly through the battle sequences. It is, overall, simply adequate...although far better than the film disaster Patriot.
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