Rating: 
Summary: Well Rounded Look At Vietnam
Review: We Were Soldiers, unlike a lot of movies about Vietnam or even other wars, succeeds at bringing you the story of the soldiers without being mired in the preachiness of the ills of war. My one complaint about Black Hawk Down is that you never really get to know the soldiers so when calamity strikes you don't really get it. We Were Soldiers makes them real, and the inclusion of the experiences of those on the homefront is a great move. It's one thing when a soldier dies on the battlefield, a whole other when his wife receives word at home. I also give kudos to We Were Soldiers for realizing that the enemy on the other side (in this case the Viet Cong) weren't just a faceless monolith of asian menace but instead had families and lives back home they felt they were fighting for. The inclusion of this makes other Vietnam-era movies seem a lot less well rounded in comparison.
Rating: 
Summary: If you Don't Feel this Real Movie, you are numb!
Review: The reality of the movie is unquestioned! It depicts the horrors of war and proves to all that real warriors seek alternatives to the shedding of blood. Real warriors know that once the fight starts, there is no quarter, given or expected.The best picture in many long decades. Best film 2002!
Rating:
Summary: Another war movie....
Review: "We Were Soldiers" is the latest film about the Vietnam War.
It is based on the book by Lt. Col. Hal Moore, who is portrayed quite intensely by Mel Gibson.
I am not a big fan of this genre, and was pretty much dragged into it by my husband. I certainly don't feel that my time was wasted by any means. It was very well done, and I thought some of the acting was just brilliant. Sam Elliot deserves the Oscar for his role! He is great in this movie, and his character gets some of the best lines of the script.
Madeline Stowe, who I have never liked as an actress, plays Moore's wife. Her and t.v.'s Felicity, Keri Russell, become fast friends being wives on base while the men are away at war.
It was just heart wrenching to watch them go to the homes of the women who had lost their Hero husbands to the elements of War. It is so hard for me to review this movie, let alone recommend it. I think of going to the movies as an escape from real life. This is no escape. It is a slap in the face of the realities of the Vietnam War. Although, this is a slap that leave a lifetime mark. Recommended to die hard fan of war movies, especially Vietnam. I haven't read the book, but I am sure it's best to read it before seeing this.
Rating:
Summary: Gibson at his best
Review: An inspiring movie that demonstrates how courage and character enables one to overcome any adversity. It shows how these qualities allows ordinary people to do amazing things when called upon. This story does credit to those of us who were in the military during the Vietnam War. Even though it was a lousy war, the people who fought (and died) in it deserve to be remembered for what they did - serve their country. This movie helps that happen.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!
Review: While I was too young to serve in Vietnam I do remember the controversy and pain that the war caused. The daily news reports and the folks on your very own block that received bad news about a loved one, for what? This movie captures both the emotional side of the women left to worry about their men and the closeness of the men that went to fight. Of particular interest was the studious leader (Mel Gibson) who researched everything before going in to battle. Knowing the enemy and his traits, this is not something normallly portrayed in a movie about the Vietnam War. And what an excellent movie that kept me (and my date) both glued to the end of our seats. The action is both excitiing and depressing at the same time. The true face of war. An awesome reflection on the tragedy of it all. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who can look past the violence and senselessness of war, any war, but especially the Vietnam War (as far as senselessness). Do yourself a favor, see this movie ASAP.
Rating: 
Summary: Hates the war and yet honors the men who fought it in!
Review: Based on the book by Lt. Col. Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway, this film is about a 1964 battle of less than 400 U.S. soldiers against more than 2,000 North Vietnamese, which set the stage for the slaughters that were to follow. There's plenty of graphic violence using the most modern cinematographic effects and we are again reminded of the horror of war and the tragic human toll it takes. Mel Gibson does a fine job as man who must lead his troops into battle. Some of the scenes on the home front though are a bit too maudlin for my taste, as he plays a religious father of five, who must do his duty by protecting his loved ones at home. The army wives are just a little too sweet and brainless although a later scene in which Madeline Stowe, cast as Moore's wife, does show her to be a fine actress. There is too much talk in the early scenes, too much of a sugar coated version of "life in the 60s". But then the men go to Vietnam, and this is where the real story begins. It is a story of heroism in spite of unbelievable odds. It is the story of death and pain and wounds so graphic that I wanted to cover my eyes. It is the story of the very beginnings of a war that later turned into a muddled mess. The film made a small attempt to show some of the humanity of a North Vietnamese soldier but I suspect however that this was inserted merely for political correctness. This story is indeed an American story that managed somehow to hate the war and yet honor the men who fought in it. The action was intense, and with the exception of some of the early scenes, the story moved along well. Mel Gibson and his supporting cast of actors did their jobs well. I was moved and upset once again by the futility of war and thankful for the comfortable life I take so for granted. We've all seen films like this before though and know the outcome. It's not for everyone but I recommend it for war film buffs. I enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-See Film for all War-Film fans
Review: "We Were Soldiers" is based on the events of a 3 day spell behind enemy lines in North Vietnam in Nov 1965. It details the actual accounts of battle from the viewpoint of the man who led the 7th Airborne Cavalry and the man who saw them in action. Lt. Col 'Hal' Moore formed a new division, trained to enter hostile territory and "find and kill the enemy." Their mission in November 1965 was to do just that, but against a force of unknown strength. He led his troops into battle, led them during the battle and fortunatley led what remained alive afterwards home to the USA after a complete tour-of-duty. This film showed a battlefield as a cruel and violent place, men dying on either side, yet risking all to protect their comrades, the ethos of the 7th. It showed the brass-tacks of warfare too, re-supply by heroic chopper pilots in one scene, and the wives at home keeping themselves occupied to stop thinking of their men dying thousands of miles away - then the telegrams started arriving. A great movie in the finest traditions of such as "The Green Berets" or "The Longest Day" I loved every minute of it.
Rating:
Summary: Very Impressive
Review: This movie impressed me almost as much as Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down. It was very well cast and directed. Mel Gibson and Sam Elliot were solid. They sold their characters very well. I also enjoyed the other side of the story showing the women and families on the home front. Very moving.
The battle scene's were very well done. I was very emotionally exhausted at the end of the movie.
This movie was unique for this genre. It showed the american G.I.'s in a positive light. Unlike other Vietnam based movies, this one was far more patriotic.
Rating:
Summary: An A++ War Movie With A Touch of Humanity
Review: Mel Gibson has been type-casted as the leading hero for movies such as "Braveheart" (which he directed, produced, acted), "The Patriot" & for "We Were Soldiers", he snugged in the role comfortably. For this offering, he rejoined with Randall Wallace, who penned "Braveheart". This time, Randall Wallace took the helm, & perhaps, he's been given more flexibility by Mel's film company, Icon Production, & therefore, "We Were Soldiers" was able to shine whereas "Pearl Harbour" wouldn't match. One of Randall's forte was to give us a glimpse of humanity at work in the war that United States shouldn't be involved at the first place. For the first time, Vietnamese was shown a matching fighter against US' military might. We were also brought into the realm of the armies' families witnessing first-hand the wives' initial denial but eventual acceptance of the demise of their husbands (& fathers of their children). Their greivance were heart-felt & for the first time, we were shown perspective of both Americans & Vietnamese. I sincerely believe that this movie covered a lot of ground such as bringing to our attention that in a war, it's irrelevant what races they are. The soldiers are brothers in arms, & they are fighting the war as Americans & therefore, in time of dire needs, it's their duty to look after one another. The movie questioned the need of fighting someone else's war, & brought to surface the treatment of soldiers when they returned from Vietnam, friendly fire. In the end, when we were shown the Memorial at Washington by Maya Lin then, we would start to appreciate the poignancy but continuing legacy of America's foreign policy. Highly recommended but not for the faint-hearted. It's good to see Madeline Stowe back to the silver screen again, & the leading lady from TV series, Felicity acting in a feature movie, & what a display of talent from Nina from 3rd Rock from the Sun. Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliot, & other supporting cast were simply splendid
Rating:
Summary: oh my goodness!
Review: I thought that this was an awesome movie! I laughed, I almost cried. I LOVE Mel Gibson though so I'm automatically predjudiced!!!!! Watch this movie!!!
~Sarah
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