We Were Soldiers

Rating:
Summary: If even the vets liked it...
Review: ...that's gotta say something. The casting was brilliant, the actors did a wonderful job, the cinematography was fantastic. Okay, the terrain was off but cut them some slack...jungles don't lend themselves well to shlepping around a film crew and their equipment. This movie did an excellent job of portraying the war from all points of view, from the soldiers on both sides to the families at home who had to watch their loved ones go off into the unknown and unknowable.
In my opinion this movie did nothing to 'glorify' war as some critics claim, but did plenty to tell the story as truly as it could be told. Buy it for yourself, buy it for your friends.

Rating:
Summary: Uninspired
Review: This is a just-watchable film that pushes no boundaries whatsoever. How those responsible could delude themselves into thinking that it was 'getting right' something that no other film had got right is beyond me. I thought Gibson's performance as Colonel Moore was fairly poor. I could imagine the words he was speaking being delivered with much more conviction and emotional impact than he was actually producing. This is probably because he was going out of his way to put on a fake American accent. It's very difficult to be able to put on a fake accent and ,at the same time, deliver lines with any emotional vigour. The first 40 minutes of the film, focusing on life in the base before the soldiers shipped out to Vietnam, were extraordinarily lame and plodding. It was Pearl Harbour all over again with its whiny emotionality and I was tempted to stop watching at this point. I soldiered on through it, however, and it definitely picked up when they got to Vietnam. It was still nothing special though and continually reminded me of Pearl Harbour with its sub-Spielberg emotional striving.
The film continues the noble Hollywood tradition of glorifying the 'No one gets left behind' shibboleth of the American armed forces. Satisfyingly, it breaks with tradition somewhat in killing some of those who try and fulfil this ludicrous pledge. Maybe if this is done a little more in the cinema people will wake up to the simple truth that it is not always a good idea to go back for a comrade. Nine times out of ten it will get both the comrade and his would-be rescuers killed.

Rating:
Summary: It is fitting and proper to honor the American Soldier
Review: I would first like to respond to the reviewer who pointed out that the American soldier was less than gallant --often. He is correct --the Vietnamese (and I also know people who fought on that side) were also less than gallant I am glad the Vietnamese won the war and have always had that position from the days of the anti-war movement--that being said--it is beside the point. There is nothing wrong--in fact it is fitting and proper to celebrate the courage of the American soldiers--something we in the anti-war movement so often disdained. This film shows that courage while treating the Vietnamese with astonishing sympathy.
It is those in the Anti-War movie whose "cheap grace" and arrogance has bled into the present culture that need to see this movie.
Again I believe the Vietnamese cause was just but the curroption, narcissism and sanctimony of the anti-War movement was also less than gallant. Someone should make a movie about that.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: We Were Soldiers is a powerful story and a powerful movie with Mel Gibson at his very best. Gibson is incredible as he depicts the horror of that battle so well in his body language and facial expressions, particularly his eyes. Definitely Oscar material.

As a Vietnam veteran, I was moved by the extraordinary violence and horror our American boys had to endure in that early battle. There were many more horrific years that followed, but this one was especially shocking for the young men thrust into its ugly jaws without knowing just how bad it would be.

Powerful on the big screen and powerful on DVD in a home theater.

This Vietnam vet highly recommends it.

Rating:
Summary: Besieges and Emancipates Aggregate Emotions
Review: This film is very captivating and will run the gamut of emotions. Mel Gibson was, as usual, outstanding and enthralling. He brings insight to those who were not there and remembrance to those who were.

The accurate portrayal of the phosphorus grenades, the napalm, the medevacs and the senseless chaos of war seemed to eclipse time and mentally reinstate the ghastly images, putrid smells, and brutal sounds that inhabit the recesses of a soldiers mind forever.

The accurate depiction of the various segments of war also displayed the camaraderie between soldiers; the teamwork and cohesiveness so necessary for survival.

This is a movie that will make the veteran remember. However, it also has the comprehension and mastery to captivate and enchant those who have never been to war. It spares no emotions and is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

Rating:
Summary: They're getting it right....
Review: Many veterans I've met have an argument about Vietnam War movies: Which one gets it right? There are some who might subscribe to "Platoon", others who said that "Full Metal Jacket" was the most accurate. I think most agree that the book this movie is based on is an outstanding resource, but the movie can't possibly include all of the details. The movie is very entertaining and doesn't quite paint the story with such a wide red, white and blue paintbrush (as with the carefully slanted "Black Hawk Down"). It is, as the documentary suggests, a story of the hatred of war, but the love of the soldier. This is a very good movie that draws appropriate attention to the American soldier, and I give it four stars for it's honesty and clarity.

Rating:
Summary: The first war movie that made me laugh hysterically!
Review: This movie is so thick with sugary, gooey and contrived sentiment you'll wish the dentist was sitting right next to you to clean your teeth when it's all over. There is not one thing they "got right" with this movie. When I see movies like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and Hamburger Hill, I am reminded of what great filmmaking involving the Vietnam War can be. For an author to outright say Hollywood has never produced one film about the Vietnam War with ultimate correctness, I am appalled by the accusation since those last three films I just mentioned have gone on to be some of the most powerful and gripping films of our time-not to mention of the Vietnam War! After watching "We were soldiers," the directors and writers use every cliche in the book (including cliches innovated from those three films) to tell a story that has been told a million times before and with far better innovation than this tripe of a film!

Let me say this without reservation; I am in the US Navy and quite simply, watching something like this angers me because it tries too hard to convey a message without taking the really hard roads to tell it. It's almost presented with too much ease and not enough grit and grime. I will say, there is one scene where the grit and grime come really close-when Barry Peppers character tries to lift one of his buddies to safety only to accidently pull off charred legs from Nepalm-it's gripping and shocking and the look on Barry Peppers face is brilliant. Barry Pepper is a really great actor and quite frankly he really holds up a really small and strong character throughout the film. Unfortunately, I quickly ended up breaking in laughter watching bacon boy look ridiculous with all the obvious layers of make up that was supposed to look like a charred face.

After watching the "making of" documentary on the DVD, my assumptions were correct when they show you a plethora of wardrobe for Mr. Gibson who wore dozens of different uniforms to show the wear and tear of the event. C'MON! Why not just have Mel Gibson in one uniform for the entire thing? Do you see what Hollywood is trying to do here folks? It's not reality and it's not realistic, it's just a bunch of guys in front of a camera playing war games only with a bunch of caterers standing by and slick and expensive production designl. Even worse, no heartfelt emotion anywhere!

The DVD itself poses almost no extras (not even a trailer) and is a letdown considering this movie was a major upset and only raked in a measly 60 million at the box office. This movie cost almost twice that and I don't see them really making up the cost anywhere on this DVD version. I am kinda glad this movie didn't go too far. It doesn't deserve to. After watching brilliant war films like Saving Private Ryan (depicting WW2) and Black Hawk Down (Gulf War), you know that the story of Vietnam has been appropriately done somewhere else after watching "We Were Soldiers."

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: WE WERE SOLDIERS
*****
THIS EXCELLENT PIECE OF ARTISTIC MASTERPIECE IS MEL GIBSONS BEST. I'M GLAD MY MOM RENTED IT. NOVEMBER 1965 HAL MOORE LEADS A GROUP OF SOLDIERS TO WAR. SADLY VERY FEW OF THEM COME OUT. CHRIS KLEIN DESERVES AN OSCAR NOD FOR THIS MOVIE AND SO DOES MEL GIBSON BUT HES NO STRANGER TO OSCAR AND WILL PROBABLY WIN A FEW. THIS MOVIE WAS MUCH MORE VIOLENT THAN BLACK HAWK DOWN AND SURPRISINGLY MORE REALISTIC. I SHOULD KNOW BECAUSE MY FATHER WHO WAS IN THE VIETNAM WAR WATCHED IT AND SAID IT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME. HE SAID BLACK HAWK DOWN WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO THIS. I AGREE. I WOULD RECCOMEND THIS TO ANYONE WHO LOVES A GREAT WAR MOVIE LIKE GLORY. RENT IT OR BETTER BUY THE DVD.

Rating:
Summary: The best movie I've seen in years
Review: We Were Soldiers is by far the best movie I've seen in some time. Mel Gibson really showed his ability to command a movie dispite having a very good supporting cast. I watched the movie three times and had only had two days. Simply EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Story Of Honor And Courage Under Fire
Review: This is another of the recent trend ( "Blackhawk Down", "Behind Enemy Lines") to make war movies based on true stories. Here, the war is in Vietnam, and as most know, it was a war that sharply divided the Country (in fact, the last "fuss" that I engaged in was in objection to a fellow that needed a bath & haircut who was cussing out a soldier in an airport). This film operates at several levels. First is the basic (if one can describe such courage and dedication under that rubric) story of LTC Hal Moore and his airmobile regiment in the Ia Drang Valley, called "the valley of death", in 1965. More important to ,me, at least, was the depiction of Moore as a commander DEEPLY committed to his men, as well as to his mission. There is also the aspect of a clear sense of failed support, both from Moore's superiors and from the Federal Government. Finally, there is a moving segment that shows the effects on the home front, as casualty telegrams are received by the soldiers' families. To tell more would spoil the unfolding story of this excellent film. It is a very realistic reinactment, and as such is an effective reminder as to what happens when we ask our young men and women to go in harm's way. Soldiers don't make policy or start wars; they follow orders and go where they are sent. It has been very gratifying to see the development of Mel Gibson as an actor since the "Mad Max" days, and his performance here is simply compelling. All of the cast perform well, but I make special note of Madeline Stowe's outstanding portrayal of LTC Moore's wife; she is a beautiful woman and an excellent actress; if you are not moved by her performance, you lack a heart. Also, the very talented Sam Elliott is perfect in the role of Moore's VERY tough Sargeant Major. Visually, the film is fantastic: the combat scenes are gut-wrenching, rivalling those in "Blackhawk Down". Sonically, the disc offers Dolby 5.1EX, so be prepared for complaints from the neighbors. I underscore the realism of the combat scenes. While such are always "troubling" to watch in the sense of the reality of war, if you, as a potential viewer, cannot handle such scenes, pass on. However, "We Were Soldiers" is an outstanding tribute to the brave men and women who followed orders in the Vietnam War, and, I suspect, to the men and women in uniform today. It's a great movie!