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Summary: A Raw, Powerful, and Unforgettable look at war.
Review: Though I know people will disagree with me, I think that "Platoon" is the best war movie ever, it's battle scenes aren't as intense as those in "Saving Private Ryan" but they are just as powerful. Oliver Stone is one of the best directors around and this film is one of the reasons why. This film is pure moviemaking, it is executed almost flawlessly by a great director, a strong cast, and a strong story. This film is raw in its realism the are moments during this film where you have to turn the other way, some of it is to painful to watch. This is one of the only movies I have cried during, I was overwhelmed by the film.
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Summary: You will like this film if........
Review: Reviews are a far from certain method of being sure that you will choose a film that you really will enjoy.....but this is perhaps more of an exception. Although Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Apocolypse Now and Hamburger Hill all provide their own unique perspective of the Vietnam war, they do I feel share at atmospheric content that manages to transfix your eyes to the screen throughout. Each stimulates your imagination and takes your mind over for a couple of hours, transporting you to the hot, humid jungles of Vietnam and its bitter conflict. I could not say which is the better film of the four.....only that they all have earned a place on my video shelf and all get watched from time to time. And whenever I watch one, I inevitably find my appetite whetted sufficiently to take the next in line off the shelf. In short, if you have seen one of these films and liked it, chances are you will be equally taken by the other three. I would also say in the case of Platoon, that fans of Oliver Stone's other works will almost certainly find that this offering will be to their liking.
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Summary: Simplistic, over-stylized, over-rated
Review: Platoon is one of the more over-rated films in recent history. I saw it on its original release and watched it again recently. Charlie Sheen plays "Oliver Stone/Everyman" caught between the battle of a new drug (pot) Jesus and an old drug (alcohol) Satan. The themes are simplistic and banal, as if we are watching someone attempt to explain a dream they had to their analyst.The cinematography and sound in this film are excellent; but to what end? Because of the banality of the "letter home" voice-over and the shallowness of all the characters, I found myself looking for other ways into the film. Like Apocalypse Now (another over-rated Vietnam film) we are presented with a series of set pieces, each one designed to horrify us more than the previous ones. In the case of Platoon, I think the raiding of the village scene is the only one that works. The others are often over-directed or under-motivated, pushing me out of the film rather than drawing me into it. Also, the allegorical aspects of the film wear themselves out quickly.
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Summary: Platoon-Best film to date about Vietnam War
Review: Film about Vietnam is refreshing after 3 Rambo and Chuck Norris films.This is what Saving Private Ryan was to W.W. II.Combat scenes,according to some vets, are about as real as they get without actually being in it!Charlie Sheen deserved an oscar for this one.Soundtrack is excellent as well.Look for Johnny Depp as Lerner.
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Summary: Not the best war film, but a classic
Review: It's not even the best Nam movie (that would be Full Metal Jacket) and not Stone's best (that's JFK - and I strongly disagree with a reviewer saying, Stone's not a good director. JFK is a masterpiece in storytelling and directing) - but it's a intense trip into man's psyche. I'm not sure whether some of the most tense scenes (like Eliah's death) look too staged, but they sure play the right emotional string. The only two problems: It's focused too much on the US-view. I cannot agree with Stone's view that the US *had* to go to Vietnam to lose its innocence. Nobody had to go there. The US had no business there and it's pathetic trying to do an anti-war movie and then honor the soldiers. Ok they were poor guys and nobody should ever go through what they went through. But they still killed. They still were part of a war, of the most gruesome thing a human being can do. And be sure: Not only Barnes loved the killing. The other thing is the lack of the Vietnamese view. They're either stupid peasants or aggressive Vietcong. And it's pathetic seeing the US soldiers walk away from the burning village like heroes, carrying children, like only they could ever save the Vietnamese people. (It's still an impressive scene! Not just because of the music). Don't get me wrong: Those are details, and the overall film is still great, but I just think, there are real flaws, mainly in its moral. The killing of Barnes, for example, is cinematically perfect, but morally rotten - and fits a country that still supports murder of criminals.
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Summary: Blatant Propaganda
Review: Anti-Vietnam rhetoric laced with (Oliver) Stone's insatiable need for conspiracy; a terrible film. Yes, Oliver, we know civilians were killed in Vietnam. Yes, Oliver, we know innocent women were raped. Yes, Oliver, we know American soldiers commited some atrocious acts in that war. However, contrary to what Mr. Stone would like you to believe, these acts were not common occurrences. American soldiers were not ``baby killers," nor ``murders," nor ``pot smoking lunatics." It was not hard to find heroism and humanitarians in Vietnam; the murderers and rapists were few and far between. It offends me dearly when I see movies such as this which judge the majority by the minority -- short of calling upon the public to collectively spit in every veteran's face, Mr. Stone could not have done a greater injustice to the common American footsoldier. I humbly ask you to read the negative reviews of this film; not the gorging masses. Many Vietnam veterans hated this film, including Mr. Stone's own sergeant (?) who served with him during the war. Skip over Platoon. Instead, watch Full Metal Jacket to see how ``the 'Nam" really was. Kubrick (God rest his soul) was thrice the man Stone will ever be.
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Summary: Great war movie, great soundtrack!
Review: I won't add to the comments above except to say that the soundtrack is just perfect, with Delerue's "Adagio for Strings" exactly what we need during the moments of gloomy introspection.... Probably the best Viet Nam War movie ever made along with Full Metal Jacket.
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Summary: Terrific!
Review: Once again I heard that this movie was good so I went and watched it. I have never looked at that war the same. Don't get me wrong. I have always appreciated all the American vets from all the wars we fought in with respect up to that time! And I still do! What a terrific example of how the war effected each person in a different way. I never thought that Oliver Stone had been a good director until I watched this. Charlie Sheen's best performance to date. William Dafoe's and Tom Berenger's best film as well. A down right effective film about a war we don't like to think or talk about but must never forget! Grade:A
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Summary: great film
Review: Possibly the greatest war film ever made, and most definetly the best film of the 1980's. Stone does a great job directing this classic.
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Summary: GOt me hooked
Review: this movie shoes the horror, reasons, and all you need to know about war and what it does to the human brain. Anybody should see this movie, I have watched it once a year since I was ten and I still am moved every time.
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