I believe Platoon is better than SPR. The story line in SPR didn't make sense. The group didn't want to save a fellow soldier even knowing his entire family members had lost their lives. This was stated so eloquently earlier by a General quoting Abraham Lincoln. They were there to fight Germans one way or the other so what's the difference? Even Tom Hanks in his last breath to Ryan "Earn This"? Everyone there Earned This!
The beginning battle of SPR and the end of Platoon are both exceptional.

Platoon, like all great movies, stays with you long after you leave the movie theatre. i mean that scene with Sergeant Elias running after the Helicopter, having been left behind, i mean, wow, who can forget the power of a scene like that. Nothing, and i mean nothing in SPR reaches that level of emotional connection. SPR is just a bunch of big scene thrown together, and none of the characters really stand out.

I've never thought about it; comparison seems a waste of time. Even if it is better, so what?

I agree, why does it have to be either or?

Dialogue and characters are much more exciting in Platoon and adagio for strings makes me hard every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GK8Ks9Rpag

I might give the edge to Platoon, depending on my mood.
Both are great.
Entropy ain't what it used to be.

I suppose you are right. It is kind of apples to oranges. I guess it's all what you like in a war film.

Apples vs oranges IMHO.
TNSTAAFL