Tigerland

Rating:
Summary: A simple yet intriguing film.
Review: After watching Tigerland, you wonder how did Joel Schumacher manage to direct such a simple yet intriguing film after that horrible Batman & Robin? This film is about the loyalty, integrity, fear and hope of men. I believe that the Vietnam War is simply used as a backdrop. This is an intense, psychological film. The plot isn't that great, but it's what Bozz's character that helps this film a very emotional piece. I'd say Colin Farrell is the next Mel Gibson, if not probably even better. After watching this film, there's something about it that makes you feel good, and you wanna enlist yourself to war. A must-see for all.

Rating:
Summary: Damn Good War Movie
Review: This film probably deserves 4.5 stars, but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt on account of Colin Farrel's portrayel of Bozz.

I'll start of by saying this: If you liked Joel Schumacher's other films, chances are, your not gonna be a great big fan of this one. It's shot entirely in 16mm which gives it the feel of a documentary. I must say, generally, I'm not a fan of anything NOT 35mm, but if this were shot any other way, I don't think I just would have gotten the full affect of it. I'm also very impressed that Schumacher decided to go with this than any other mainstream film like "8MM" which, no offense to Mr. Schumacher, well, sucked.

The film's main character is Bozz, portrayed by Colin Farrel, wonderfully. Bozz is a badass who was drafted and doesn't believe in war. His commanding officers tell him time and again that he could be on of the best soldiers if he chose to, but he just doesn't agree with putting another human being through that kind of punishment. One scene that really got to me was when a sergeant is teaching the "soldiers" how to get information from "Charlies". They attach two wires to the man's testicles and let 'er rip. This was one of the, if not the, best acting in the entire movie. Just the way Farrel talks, and his facial expressions are enough to make you stand and clap.

I wanted to comment on Colin Farrel's excellent acting, and I'm sure you've read about the plot numerous times already, so I'm going to discuss the features of the DVD. We'll start off with, to me, the most attractive feature added, Colin Farrel's screen tests. In these, you can hear a little bit of his Irish accent, and the video is quite poor. On the other hand, it's a good insight on what he had to get through, and how much more his acting had evolved. His acting is superb is the screen tests, but just not as good as in the movie itself. I'm usually more attracted to a director's work than an actor's, but there was just so much said about Farrel that I couldn't not buy this DVD. The transfer is also decent, and if you buy this, know that it's not supposed to be squeaky clean, and without grain and chroma noise. The havoc of 16mm really added a lot to the film itself, almost as if the video had an uncredited starring role. Also on this DVD is an audio commentary from the director which is pretty good. Another thing that would have been awesome on this DVD is a commentary with the stars, mainly Farrel. There's also a making of "fearurette". Key word here is "Featurette" just not enough there to satisfy me. The DVD is finished off with trailers and TV spots, and an unafvertised trailor for the upcoming "TORA! TORA! TORA!" special edition DVD.

The DVD isn't flawless, but if your a war fan, or just looking for a look at one of the upcoming stars in the industry, this is the way to go. The DVD is well-rounded and the screen tests were definitely worth it. The film is worth a look regardless or whether or not you buy the DVD. You've absolutely got to see this movie, but the DVD is the way to go because you get a look into the process of the movie coming together. This one's definitely deserves to be up on the shelves with all the other great war movies.

Rating:
Summary: A New Look at NAM
Review: This movie is a different look at NAM. It unlike most war movies only shows the preping for the war. It starts off with a bunch of soldiers being shiped off to another bootcamp were they prepare for leaving to what is known as the second worst place on earth "Tigerland". With its gritty approach on the main character Bozz it shows him as a trouble making private who is capable of getting people out of the army and wants to get out himself. After the tough and well filmed 8 weeks of bootcamp they are shipped of to tigerland. To keep from spoiling the movie I will say no more. But

GO SEE TIGERLAND.

Rating:
Summary: This is Real
Review: After I watched this movie I really thought about why it was so good. The conclusion I arrived at was that it put a very original twist on a very documented subject; the Vietnam War.

The film focases on a group of young men in infantry training for combat. Quickly the film introduces it's central character, a rebelious private named Bozz(Coilin Ferrell). Bozz was drafted and does not believe in the army and he will do whatever it takes convey that point except desert. At first nobody likes him because he causes problems for everyone in his platoon. In particular the drill sargents and another private named Wilson(Shea Whigham) despise Bozz. However the rest of the men really start to warm to Bozz and his cause. He makes frinds with Paxton(Matthew Davis) and helps out some other soldiers which gains him favor among the others. Eventually Bozz becomes the leader of the platoon just before thay are sent to Tigerland, which is the name the army has given their mock Vietnam.

Tigerland is different from most war movies in that the soldiers in this film are never shown going to war. Instead the film is all about the training of the soldiers before they actually were sent to fight and the effects it had on them. Essentially not a whole lot happens in this film event wise, but the character study of the young men faced with war is masterful. The performances from the whole cast are excellent. Collin Ferrell is quite exceptional as Bozz. He is clever, funny, objectional, loyal and troubled, which gives the character a lot of depth. Matthew Davis, Clifton Collin Jr, and Shea Whigham all turn in wonderful supporting roles as well. Director Joel Schumacher(The Lost Boys, The client, 8mm) has crafted a beautiful film. His direction is quiet and subtle. His use of hand held cameras with 16mm film gives the movie a unique, documentary feel.

While I was watching this film I had a interesting revilation about it's message. The film actually points out that the men who fought in Vietnam came from different backrounds and had very different opinions about what they were doing there. To many, honor and duty were arbitrary when it came to the war because, like Bozz, it had nothing to do with them. For others it was all that mattered, and for still more they were just there. But for all of them the fear and reality of war was present. Additionally I really got the feeling these men had no idea what they were even preparing for. I would be willing to wager just from watching movies on the Vietnam war such as Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, and Apocalypse Now, that I have a greater understanding of what was happening in Vietnam at the time than these young men did before they were sent. They were trained to fight a enemy they had never seen, half way around the world, and all they really knew was that people were dying. So how could they really be prepared.

I urge people to see this film. It was very well done and worth the time. I am surprised it did not have a wider release in the theatres. It was one of the better films of 2000 and a worthy addition to the chronicles of war pictures. This movie was real.

Rating:
Summary: MUST VIEW FOR ARMY VIET NAM ERA VETS
Review: REALISTIC BUT NOT NECESSARILY EXAGGERATED PORTRAYAL OF LIFE IN AN ARMY AIT INFANTRY PLATOON AS THE VIET NAM ERA WAS COMING TO A CLOSE. CHARACTERS AND THEIR PORTRAYAL BY VARIOUS ACTORS LEAVE NOTHING TO BE DESIRED. FOR 18/19 YEAR OLDS THOUGH THE ACTORS SEEM A LITTLE BIT TOO MATURE. HAVING SERVED AS AN ARMY MEDIC DURING THAT TIME PERIOD IT SEEMS WE WERE NOT QUITE AS OLD AS PORTRAYED. STORY LINE IS VERY GOOD HOWEVER AND BROUGHT BACK BITTER MEMORIES OF THE MILITARY MIND SET OF NO QUESTIONS ASKED AND INEPTNESS TO THINK OR FUNCTION AT HIGHER LEVELS. THIS MOVIE WILL DEFENITELY CATCH ON WITH VIET NAM ERA VETS THOUGH SOME MAY NOT APPRECIATE IT AS MUCH AS OTHERS!

Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT ACTING AND SUPERB STORY TELLING
Review: It doesnt take explosions and firepower to make a gripping Vietnam movie. As a matter of fact, Joel Schumaker proves it doesnt even take Vietnam to make a gripping Vietnam movie. All you need is a moving tale and a flawless performance from your lead actor. Tigerland has both.

Colin Farrell is Bozz, a renegade private in training before he sets out for the battlefields of Vietnam. His flamboyance and disrespect has him hated by those who would train him and awed by those that would serve with him. His character proves to be more than a rebel. Through a brilliant job of acting Farrell shows Bozz to be scared, anxious, compassionate, and intelligent. The setting of the story revolves around army infantry training that culminates in a mock Vietnam setting called Tigerland. Throughout the movie we are exposed to the emotion of those that fear Vietnam and would do almost anything not to go, and the lunacy of those that welcome the carnage with open arms. The film has many moving moments and the good guy vs. bad guy sub plot that we all love. (The bad guy being a Private Wilson - another fine bit of acting)

Tigerland is full of great imagery and even shot with a grainy texture that gives it a documentary sort of feel. The effect is profound in its pseudo dating of the film, adding an air of authenticity. While this is not an action flick, the acting and flow of the movie are flawless and a great five star tale results.

Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Piece of Cinema
Review: Its no coincidence that the two most negative reviews for this movie on this page are from New York. It confirms everything I suspected about that city. Don't let anyone tell you differently, this is a movie worth seeking out. As a home theater/cinema buff who owns over 150 DVDs, I can tell you that this is one of the best movies in years, and the best war/military movie since "A Midnight Clear" If its artistic integrity in film-making you seek, then "TigerLand" won't disapoint.

Rating:
Summary: AN ORIGINAL WAR FILM
Review: The year is 1971, and before a group of young Army recruits are shipped off to Vietnam, they must attend the Tigerland base camp in Louisiana.

Facing the horrors of the war, one soldier, Private Bozz (Colin Farrell), will rebel against everything, to keep his humanity.

"Tigerland" is an original take on the war film genre, shot on grainy film, and documentary style, director Joel Schumacher examines the struggles of a group of young men, forced to fight a war they don't want to fight.

While remaining enjoyable, and watchable, "Tigerland" is a character driven film, carried by the superb, intense performance of Collin Farrell.

Nick Gonnella

Rating:
Summary: not your typical military movie
Review: I hate "war" movies. They are all the same, feature the same characters in the same settings, with the same plots and objectives--or so I thought. Tigerland was a wonderful surprise. This movie, instead of dealing with the soldiers strategy in war, depicting them scared, alone, and in a foreign land, has done something amazing. It instead depicts the soldiers fears, hopes, and dreams BEFORE they go anywhere. These men know where they are going, and that they have no choice in the matter, and watching to see what makes them all tick, or snap, is what is interesting in this fil. "Bozz" is just the guy they all admire, (or not), because of his facade of a "cool" guy amidst all the chaos. I found myself genuinely moved by this film, and I think you will tooo.

Rating:
Summary: Unconventional twist to typical war film genre
Review: Directed by Joel Shumaker, of "Batman" fame, this is a low-budget artsy attempt to give an unconventional twist to the typical war film genre. Based on the personal experiences of one of the writers, Ross Kavan, and cast with fresh-faced unknowns, the story takes place in 1971 when a group of recruits go through Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana's infamous Tigerland, the last stop before Vietnam for tens of thousands of young men at the time.

One of the recruits, Roland Bozz, is rebellious and willful and refuses to accept authority. He wants to get out of going to Vietnam, but instead finds himself helping other draftees to find legal loopholes and becomes a sort of savior figure to the men. He's a natural leader and even commands respect from his superiors. Somehow, though, he seems too good to be true. We get a different view of the war through this boot camp experience, and sense the horror even though it is all just war games and physical conditioning.

In spite of the action, I found myself bored. And the lead character, Colin Farrel, just didn't seem to ring true. We never hear one bit about his background, and he seems just too much wiser than any of the other men. Even though he had no accent, I understand he's an Irish actor and its possible that this is what kept him from acting like what I think of as an American G.I. This might have been done intentionally by the director, but it just didn't work for me. I cannot recommend this video to any but the most diehard Vietnam War film fans such as myself. For the rest of you, save your money.