This is an
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tam87 — 3 years ago(August 20, 2022 11:23 PM)
I thought it should've been much better than it is. In fact, I think it would've been much better if Mel Gibson directed it, since Gibson has a knack for war films and battle scenes in particular. They also should've filmed it in SE Asia instead of California, knew it was filmed in America straight away!
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ToastedCheese — 3 years ago(August 21, 2022 12:06 AM)
They also should've filmed it in SE Asia instead of California, knew it was filmed in America straight away!
This was undermining the authenticity right away, like Kubrick did with
Full Metal Jacket
, but his film had a surreal feel about it which I'd say was partly deliberate.
I thought the film was directed fine by Wallace, I just didn't like its stance.
Platoon
knew what it wanted to say and didn't set out to glorify its soldiers and hold them up to reverence or martyrs.
Norman! What did you put in my tea? -
tam87 — 3 years ago(August 21, 2022 01:25 AM)
This was undermining the authenticity right away, like Kubrick did with Full Metal Jacket, but his film had a surreal feel about it which I'd say was partly deliberate.
True. I think FMJ got away with it because they kept it in the city or the base camp, they never went out into the jungle.
ps I'm not a big fan of FMJ, but the Hue City set they built (I think in the London docklands) was tremendous.
I thought the film was directed fine by Wallace, I just didn't like its stance. Platoon knew what it wanted to say and didn't set out to glorify its soldiers and hold them up to reverence or martyrs.
There's always been something missing about the film that I can't quite put my finger on. It
should
have been a great war movie with the set up. I can only assume it's because of Mel Gibson starring but not directing. I feel the same about The Patriot, decent movie but could've been better, which I think Mel should've directed as well. Meanwhile some of my favorite war films, Braveheart & Hacksaw Ridge, were directed by Gibson. I think he must've been the difference. I guess Mel thought he was too old to direct and star in war movies by that stage. -
tam87 — 3 years ago(August 21, 2022 11:43 PM)
It's gotten much better over the years. I remember being very disappointed when I first saw it, bit it stands up better to repeat viewings. I can't watch the napalm scene. Jesus Christ. They should outlaw that ****. No way for a human to die.
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TaraDeS — 3 years ago(August 23, 2022 02:27 AM)
by MovieManCin2 August 22, 2022 06:49 PM
Member since February 19, 2018
Napalm scene? In
We Were Soldiers
?
Yes, that was an exciting scene!
Much better than in this theater play
"Napalm the White"
.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_the_Wise -
tam87 — 3 years ago(August 23, 2022 03:54 AM)
It was the most memorable scene of the whole movie, the first time I saw it I never forgot it. It was a friendly fire incident, American jets dropped canisters of napalm on their own troops. It was witnessed by Joe Galloway, the photographer in the movie, his buddy who I think is Japanese extraction, is hit and literally half his body has been incinerated, his skin is melting off as he tries to pick him up. It is an absolutely stomach churning scene, all true as well, and why I tend to avoid this film when it comes to rewatches.
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ToastedCheese — 3 years ago(August 21, 2022 12:03 AM)
It is well made, yet the most graphic Vietnam film I have ever seen about appalling behavior and attitudes from US bunnies who didn't BELONG there. Championing this behavior is appalling as well.
Norman! What did you put in my tea?
Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 
