Rating: 
Summary: NOT ALL IS FAIR IN WAR..
Review: I'm probably far too jaded with war movies to idolize the supposed intensity that this Vietnam clunker packs. It cannot dream of holding a candle to Platoon or Saving Private Ryan, but if this is your first in the war-is-literally-and-viscerally-hell genre, be prepared to be engaged.
The story line is harrowing -- four misguided American GIs in the Vietnam war get all worked up and rape+murder a woman prisoner. The fifth GI, a "good one" (played by an unwittingly chocolate-boyish and out-of-place M.J. Fox) is more moralistic than the four, which soon morphs into a game of libido versus ethics.
The overall effect is a mixed bag. Confrontations between commanding officers and soldiers are effective, despite their sketchy outcomes. Fox also delivers an atrocious holier-than-thou speech around the middle. The ending resolution is patchy and forced, which makes one wonder if the movie should perhaps have simply recorded the incident and ended as the group returned to base.
Barring Sean Penn's hearty attempts at a Bronx accent and the essence of conscience that permeates the film, there really is rather sparse material to base my recommendation on. Probably worth a go for the ensemble cast, but De Palma has certainly done a lot better.
Rating: 
Summary: Anti-War
Review: The movie was well made and acted. Sean Penn was excellent as usual as well as M.J.Fox, but I didn't like the anti-war message. The entire film was set up to give the "anti" message from the beginning and portrayed most of the American soldiers as heartless killers and rapists. There were philisophical speaches right in the middle of patrols and only one American (Fox) was portrayed as a human with a concience.
The film was "based" on a true story, and we all know these kinds of atrocities happened even among our fine American soldiers, but I prefer a more realistic portrayal.
If you want to see real men, in real situations and speaking like real men speak to each other then see "Hamburger Hill". I don't need all the anti-war hype to understand that war is bad. War is terrible for everyone involved, and I don't need speeches or in-your-face explanations to realize that. All I ask for is realism.
If you want a philisophical and whiney film then it's ok, but I wanted realism and don't think it delivered as well as many other war dramas.
Rating:
Summary: Unbearable
Review: "Casualties of War" is based upon a true life incident during the Vietnam War in which an innocent Vietnamese girl is raped and murdered by a U.S. army squad. The girl is victimized in "revenge" for a previous attack upon this squad by the Viet Cong. All but one soldier in the squad participates in the rape/murder. That soldier is played by Michael J. Fox. Fox is excellent as the sole conscience amongst the squadron.Fox's character is so horrified by what he sees, that he is compelled to report this atrocity to his commanders. As a result, he is vilifed by his peers and by certain superiors. A trial of the other squadron members ensues. I will not give away the outcome. Sean Penn as the instigator of the rape/murder is brilliant in his portrayal of the sadistic and ruthless soldier. And Thuy Thu Le who plays the murdered Vietnamese girl is obviously a talented young actress with great emotional depth. The rape scene itself is quite graphic and disturbing. But unfortunately, the way in which the Vietnamese girl's role is written and directed makes this character more unbearable than the rape itself. And that should NOT be. The rape is a horrific and vile act. But this girl's continual whimpering, coughing, clinging, and totally passive behavior is what finally became unbearable for me as the viewer. De Palma and David Rabe give the Vietnamese girl no strength, smarts, or even a smidgeon of dignity. The girl has the opportunity to flee when Michael J. Fox's character unties her. But she does nothing but run back to him and thus sets herself up for more torture by the rest of the squad. Perhaps that is how the incident actually happened. But in the most effective dramas, the audience can identify with its protagonist. In this movie, it is almost impossible to do so because the protagonist is so completely weak and witless. The filmmakers have given me too little to care about in this girl upon which an entire story is based. That is why "Casualties of War" merits only two stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Casualties of War
Review: "Casualties of War" or "Outrages" (in France) stars Michael J. Fox as Private First Class Erikkson, a good-natured father who gets stuck with four other men that want to have fun with a VC. So, they kidnap a young vietnamese woman to get pleasure from, and Erikkson doesn't want any part of it. He's of course threatened by Sean Penn's Character Sgt. Meserve..a twenty year old madman. After trying to help her escape the cruelty of the other four men, Erikkson has to watch her get murdered by the other men in his squad. Erikkson tries to get justice done for the young woman, yet hardly anyone believes his story.
Rating:
Summary: Moving story
Review: "Casualties of War" was directed by Brian de Palma and stars Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn, and a good list of supporting actors.
After their squad gets attacked and some soldiers are killed, the unit is sent out on a long-range patrol, led by Sean Penn. He decides to kidnap a Vietnamese girl to take with them as some "portable R & R" along the way.
The girl is raped by the members of the squad, except Michael J. Fox, who tries unsucessfully to prevent it. Later, the girl is murdered by the same men so that another approaching group of Americans in helicopters will not see her.
Although Fox tells his superior officers about it, no one is enthusiastic about bringing charges against the men. Eventually they see their day in court and some measure of justice is handed out.
The DVD contains a 30-minute "making of" documentary with clips and comments by dePalma and other crew members, an 18-minute interview with clips from Michael J. Fox, 5 deleted scenes (one that includes the girl's scarf gives added meaning to the last scene), and the usual set up options.
One of many Vietnam war movies, "Casualties of War" ranks near the top due to the difficult subject and generally good acting.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and intense...
Review: A brutal account of Vietnam atrocity that will, despite the film's flaws, will tie your stomach in knots. What makes "Casualities of War" particularly gripping is that it was based on a true story (see the book by Daniel Lang), which does much to disrupt the stereotypical American "Good Guy" John Wayne ideal, casting the Vietnamese in an innocent victim light. Both Fox and Penn deliver excellent, believable performances (arguably the best of Fox's mainly comedic career thus far) in their "Good Cop/Bad Cop" roles. The violence of the film is harsh and unapologetic, particularly the rape scene, which is guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes and bile to your throat. However, it isn't gratuitous violence; every harsh scene in the film serves it's purpose well in a realistic depiction of the confusion and corruption that existed during the Vietnam War. Not a film to be missed, regardless of how unsettling. Fox's struggle between loyalty to his platoon versus loyalty to his morals puts an grave spin on the idea of "peer pressure" and you will find yourself applauding - and perhaps a bit inspired by - his determination to go against the grain. Plus, in a cinematic world filled with one-dimensional perspectives on Vietnam, it never hurts to hear the Other Side of the Story. I'm not being unpatriotic; the fact remains, however, that American soldiers committed just as many atrocities as the VC did during the War (think My Lai). People are, unfortunately, a bit too reluctant to bring them to light.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and intense...
Review: A brutal account of Vietnam atrocity that will, despite the film's flaws, will tie your stomach in knots. What makes "Casualities of War" particularly gripping is that it was based on a true story (see the book by Daniel Lang), which does much to disrupt the stereotypical American "Good Guy" John Wayne ideal, casting the Vietnamese in an innocent victim light. Both Fox and Penn deliver excellent, believable performances (arguably the best of Fox's mainly comedic career thus far) in their "Good Cop/Bad Cop" roles. The violence of the film is harsh and unapologetic, particularly the rape scene, which is guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes and bile to your throat. However, it isn't gratuitous violence; every harsh scene in the film serves it's purpose well in a realistic depiction of the confusion and corruption that existed during the Vietnam War. Not a film to be missed, regardless of how unsettling. Fox's struggle between loyalty to his platoon versus loyalty to his morals puts an grave spin on the idea of "peer pressure" and you will find yourself applauding - and perhaps a bit inspired by - his determination to go against the grain. Plus, in a cinematic world filled with one-dimensional perspectives on Vietnam, it never hurts to hear the Other Side of the Story. I'm not being unpatriotic; the fact remains, however, that American soldiers committed just as many atrocities as the VC did during the War (think My Lai). People are, unfortunately, a bit too reluctant to bring them to light.
Rating:
Summary: Gradually worsens.
Review: A Vietnam film based on a true account, starring Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn - you can't go wrong, right? Well unfortunately, they did. The film is a true account of a small squad of long-range troops in Vietnam. They are your typical GIs of the time - their battle experience has made them fed up and angry.
The movie opens in a dark, dense jungle. Michael J. Fox, that crazy little critter, gets himself stuck in a hole leading directly into an enemy underground tunnel! He is rescued by the Sergeant, etc.
After a likeable member of the squad, "Brownie" is killed off guard in a village harbouring Vietcong (he was my favourite character of the whole film, funnily enough), the squad Sergeant (played brilliantly by Sean Penn) is bitter and remorseful. He has the idea to kidnap a young woman for the entire squad to rape once they set out for their next assignment. This is his idea of "payback" for what the Vietcong did to their friend. Basically, the film is about poor old Micheal J. Fox and his moral dilemma - does he follow suit and rape the girl with the others, or does he go with his gut instincts and risk being ridiculed?
Well, of course, he doesn't, and the rest of the film shows him trying to expose the others to the authorities. The acting on Michael J. Fox's part was good enough - I wouldn't expect Fox to be able to play a soldier this well, to be honest. Sean Penn gives by far the best performance. He's a rowdy young kid (he's only 20 years old in the film), basically, and you can never tell if he's a good guy or not... he drives the movie on if you ask me. So, why did I rate this only two stars? Well, simply put, there is so much of this film that is bad. First of all, the action - there isn't much of it, but they didn't really bother in the opening scene with the dreadful pyrotechnics - we're talking little white clouds of smoke reminiscent of 60's films. Mortar shells I would exepct, would have far worse impact than is portrayed here. Another thing is the script in general is just badly thought out. The serious subject matter gives way to typical Hollywood crap - a hand grenade causes a huge over-exxagerated explosion in a camp toilet and Fox is thrown about 20 metres into the air. And lives. Without a scratch.
The characters in general (mainly the other squad members) are bland and forgettable. You just find them more irritating than anything else...
Rating:
Summary: Fox and war
Review: A wonderful DVD, the beginning was a little droll but the movie picked up considerably in the middle. The language is rough, the graphics can get gory, but altogether it is a heartbreaking film. Vietnam at its worst.
Michael J. Fox played his part,(as always) to the max, and Sean Penn was not far behind for the evil and crazy leader of the band.
Altogether, it's a movie anyone should watch. If not for the truth and final showdown between Fox, and his enemies, but for the wonderful acting and storyline.
Rating: 
Summary: The Most Emotionally Charged War Film Ever
Review: Admirers of Brian De Palma's "Casualties of War" are in for a real treat when they check out the DVD. If you've only seen the pan-and-scan version, this will blow you away. In addition, Laurent Bouzereau contributes his usual high quality "making-of" and retrospective featurettes. Michael J. Fox's recollections of making the film are fascinating. Plus deleted scenes! With the release of special editions of "Dressed to Kill" and "Carrie" along with the bare bones but still essential "Blow Out", 2001 has been a great year for Brian DePalma discs.
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