Rating: 
Summary: Clint Eastwood's Marines
Review: Clint Eastwood directed and starred in the lead role of this film about a "salty," battle-hardened career sergeant who whips a platoon of new Marines into shape. Along the way, he attempts to repair his failed marriage and locks horns with the Marine Battalion's Operations Officer who is ready to kick him out of the Corps at the first opportunity. Eastwood is Gunnery Sergeant Highway, a Korea and Vietnam vet who won the Medal of Honor and survived a horrific battle in Korea referred to as "Heartbreak Ridge" in the film. He's a warrior on the battlefield, but his aggressive, hard-drinking and "tell-it-like-it-is" personality has cost him promotion to the senior ranks and his marriage. Nearing retirement, he receives orders to return to his elite specialty Force Reconnaissance. Upon arrival, he discovers his new platoon to be comprised of young Marines who are hopelessly without discipline, his Lieutenant inexperienced, and the battalion's Operations Officer who looks upon him as a washed-up old prima donna. On the personal side, "Gunny's" ex-wife still resides nearby earning a living as a cocktail waitress and is seeing her boss. Tackling his main problem, he commences breathing fire into his young Marines, turning them into "heart-breakers and life-takers." During his off-time, he tangles with his ex-wife in an attempt to repair the problems that caused their divorce. All during this time, he's one step away from being under-mined and kicked out by the Operations Officer. The film culminates with their deployment to intervene the crisis on the Island of Grenada, an actual operation that occurred in 1983, leading the way into combat for the Marine battalion. It is here where the plot unfolds to reveal if "Gunny's" old-school methods of training have worked in turning the former misfits into an elite combat force, if his wife decides to return to him, and if he'll survive this little war and his nemesis. Overall, the movie has Eastwood's brand of humor and it's a likeable feature not to be taken too seriously. There are some technical flaws such as a complete lack of other officers in the battalion, but this doesn't spoil the movie too much unless you're a proud member of the Marine Corps. Another item about this movie is the use of profanity in the script; it's colorful and there's plenty of it. By rumor, this story was originally written to take place in an Army Ranger battalion, but apparently the Army denied permission to portray their Rangers in this fashion. Whatever the case, it's enjoyable to watch and does actually touch upon some actual basic leadership values.
Rating: 
Summary: Heartbreak Ridge
Review: Easily one of my favorite films of all time. From the intro's black and white scenes of the Korean conflict with Don Gibson's "Sea of a Heartbreak" playing, with a dubbed in banjo, in the background to the fade to color present with a battle scared Clint in the drunk tank telling war stories and backing it up with action to prove his point in front of a captive audience. This is a great action and scene packed film. Meant to be taken as tongue in cheek. I look at it as what it might be like if Clint Eastwood did standup comedy. I probably watch this movie 3 times a year. No it's not high art as other reviewers have stated; but who cares. It's a good story, an honest story with some peripheral basis in fact and a lot of patriotism. The story exploits ideals and emotions that most folks over 50 can probably identify with throughout the movie. My 11-year-old son loves the movie. " This is an AK47 assault rifle, the preferred weapon of your enemy and makes a distinct sound when fired at you." This is entertainment at its best.
Rating:
Summary: This doesn't mean we're gonna be swappin' spit in the shower
Review: I suppose Clint Eastwood should apologize for this not being a flag-waving, everybody-wins rah-rah flick. I, for one, think its a pretty enjoyable flick, though certainly no masterpiece. Eastwood is great as the "Gunny", with some terrifically vulgar dialogue which no one but him would be able to deliver properly. Oh, and for the reviewer bitching about the platoon calling in air support through their home base in the States via telephone on the island, it DID happen, during the invasion of Grenada, I believe, due to radio failure that left Marines cut off from their support.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Ride With Clint....To..."Heartbreak Ridge"....
Review: This review refers to "Heartbreak Ridge"...Warner Home Video..DVD edition... "Heartbreak Ridge" from 1986 is Eastwood's tough guy image personified. He is Gunnery Sgt. Tom "Gunny" Highway. Gunny has seen it all, and done it all. He's a decorated war hero who has survived battle in both Korea and Vietnam.He's tough and gruff and will soon face mandatory retirement.With no war to fight his last assignment is to whip the members of a raw but feisty recon platoon into shape. He's up against an unwilling group,a "follow orders or else"(not exactly his style)type commanding officer, and an ex-wife who's as feisty as the recruits.Both he and his men(and his ex-wife) are put to the test when war breaks out on the Island of Grenada.It was directed by Eastwood, Marsha Mason co-stars and the cast is nicely rounded out by Mario VanPeebles, Moses Gunn, Bo Svenson and the wonderful Eileen Heckart. This 1986 film looks great on this DVD. Warner has done a nice job with the clarity and colors. The widescreen format lets us in on all the action and the Dolby Dig 5.1 surrounds wonderfully. Lennie Niehaus' fabulous score completes the package.Don't look for much in the way of special features.There are theatrical trailers, some cast film highlights,and subtitles in English, French, Spanish,Portugese and Japanese.It may be viewed in French as well. If you're a big Eastwood fan, you may want to purchase this in the Eastwood "Hero" 3-pack instead. It also includes "Absolute Power" and "A Perfect World"...You know you'll buy them all anyway and this way will save you some money...check it out! Thanx...and enjoy.....Laurie
Rating: 
Summary: Not a word about Lebanon, Oct. 22, 1983!
Review: My review of "Heartbreak Ridge" is based on what I saw at the threatre, not the DVD release. "Heartbreak Ridge", (named after a battle that took place during the 1950-1953 Korean War), was first supposed to be set in an Army Unit, but, the Army backed out, (too much foul language), so it has a Marine Corp setting. Clint Eastwood is an older, (but not softer), Marine whose job it is too whip some new soldiers into shape. Since it's been 8 years since the end of the Vietnam war, they don't take it too seriously, but then they have to go into Grenada where the war is real. Clint also has a drinking problem and his wife, portrayed by Marsha Mason, has seen it all. While the film has it's share of memorable scences, many of them based on historical facts; the movie has a huge omission--there is not one word about the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon Oct. 22,1983. For this movie to ignore Lebanon will make it look like a public relations gimmick, instead of the very good film it is. Many people, at the time, said Grenada was an attempt to take the country's mind off of what was happening in the Middle East. The White House said Grenada was in the planning stage long before Oct. 22. The film shows Clint and Marsha at a party the night the bombing occured, (before Clint gets called into action), and that's when they could have brought up the incident. The barracks bombing killed a great many people and the French troops in Lebanon were also attacked with a bomb that same day. Soon after, the Americans, French, and Italians, (who were there as peace keepers), left Lebanon, and the Syrians moved in. I really liked this movie, but, they should have said something about Lebanon. A movie about Americans serving in uniform that doesn't say a word about a great many other Americans serving in uniform being killed, (at the exact same time), is inexuseable. I think this is the only "Hollywood" film about Grenada, although PBS did a documentary on it, and another one about Lebanon.
Rating:
Summary: "I'm mean, nasty, and tired"
Review: I can't tell you why this movie is great, if you break it down into individual pieces, it probably wouldn't hold a candle to a bad made-for-TV movie. However, I've watched it dozens of times (and several more on the extra-clear DVD version) and enjoy it thoroughly each. Eastwood's lines are memorable, if only for their raunchy hilarity. "I eat canstantino wire and piss napalm". Ooh Rah!
Rating:
Summary: Silly plot. But Clint Eastwood is a special kind of guy.
Review: Clint Eastwood directed and starred in this 1986 film, whose theme we've all seen before. He's cast as an aging Marine sergeant whose whole life has been devoted to the military. Along the way he and his wife, played by Marsha Mason, have split up and he's determined to win her back. He's served in Korea and Vietnam and is now charged with the task of training some raw recruits. They sure are the sorriest lot of trainees I've ever seen and they hate him of course. But he forces discipline on them and really does prepare them to fight in spite of themselves. When they are called upon to go to Grenada to rescue civilians, they rise to the occasion and fight with courage. That's the plot, and it's really rather silly. But Clint Eastward is a special kind of guy and somehow he somehow manages to pull it all together. A lot of the dialog is absolutely outrageous in its creative vulgarity but it all seemed natural coming out of his mouth. And its easy to see the loving relationship with his ex-wife in spite of a lot of nasty wisecracks directed to each other. The story moved fast and held my interest even though it annoyed me with some of its overacting and over-simplification. But then again, it's supposed to be a comedy. I can't recommend you go out and buy or rent this film. It's just too lightweight. But if you ever catch it on late-night TV, you'll find it a pleasant time waster. I therefore give it a mild recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Not a word about Lebanon, Oct. 22, 1983!
Review: My review of "Heartbreak Ridge" is based on what I saw at the threatre, not the DVD release. "Heartbreak Ridge", (named after a battle that took place during the 1950-1953 Korean War), was first supposed to be set in an Army Unit, but, the Army backed out, (too much foul language), so it has a Marine Corp setting. Clint Eastwood is an older, (but not softer), Marine whose job it is too whip some new soldiers into shape. Since it's been 8 years since the end of the Vietnam war, they don't take it too seriously, but then they have to go into Grenada where the war is real. Clint also has a drinking problem and his wife, portrayed by Marsha Mason, has seen it all. While the film has it's share of memorable scences, many of them based on historical facts; the movie has a huge omission--there is not one word about the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon Oct. 22,1983. For this movie to ignore Lebanon will make it look like a public relations gimmick, instead of the very good film it is. Many people, at the time, said Grenada was an attempt to take the country's mind off of what was happening in the Middle East. The White House said Grenada was in the planning stage long before Oct. 22. The film shows Clint and Marsha at a party the night the bombing occured, (before Clint gets called into action), and that's when they could have brought up the incident. The barracks bombing killed a great many people and the French troops in Lebanon were also attacked with a bomb that same day. Soon after, the Americans, French, and Italians, (who were there as peace keepers), left Lebanon, and the Syrians moved in. I really liked this movie, but, they should have said something about Lebanon. A movie about Americans serving in uniform that doesn't say a word about a great many other Americans serving in uniform being killed, (at the exact same time), is inexuseable. I think this is the only "Hollywood" film about Grenada, although PBS did a documentary on it, and another one about Lebanon.
Rating:
Summary: A Tribute to Greatness
Review: Heartbreak Ridge is hardly about the military- it's more about greatness and integrity. Clint is assigned to lead a team of rowdy recruits. By demanding greatness from them, Clint is able to transform the group from a bunch of criminals into a well-oiled military team. In doing this, Clint shows the true nature of great leadership. There is also a fair amount of comedy throughout the film, making it enjoyable on multiple levels.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Ride With Clint....To..."Heartbreak Ridge"....
Review: This review refers to "Heartbreak Ridge"...Warner Home Video..DVD edition... "Heartbreak Ridge" from 1986 is Eastwood's tough guy image personified. He is Gunnery Sgt. Tom "Gunny" Highway. Gunny has seen it all, and done it all. He's a decorated war hero who has survived battle in both Korea and Vietnam.He's tough and gruff and will soon face mandatory retirement.With no war to fight his last assignment is to whip the members of a raw but feisty recon platoon into shape. He's up against an unwilling group,a "follow orders or else"(not exactly his style)type commanding officer, and an ex-wife who's as feisty as the recruits.Both he and his men(and his ex-wife) are put to the test when war breaks out on the Island of Grenada.It was directed by Eastwood, Marsha Mason co-stars and the cast is nicely rounded out by Mario VanPeebles, Moses Gunn, Bo Svenson and the wonderful Eileen Heckart. This 1986 film looks great on this DVD. Warner has done a nice job with the clarity and colors. The widescreen format lets us in on all the action and the Dolby Dig 5.1 surrounds wonderfully. Lennie Niehaus' fabulous score completes the package.Don't look for much in the way of special features.There are theatrical trailers, some cast film highlights,and subtitles in English, French, Spanish,Portugese and Japanese.It may be viewed in French as well. If you're a big Eastwood fan, you may want to purchase this in the Eastwood "Hero" 3-pack instead. It also includes "Absolute Power" and "A Perfect World"...You know you'll buy them all anyway and this way will save you some money...check it out! Thanx...and enjoy.....Laurie
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