Not for the faint hearted. (Platoon (DVD))

Member Name: daseaford

Product:	Platoon (DVD)
Date:	22/01/01 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very well made.

Disadvantages: So much violence and swearing.

This film is totally filled with violence and swearing from beginning to end and should not be watched by youngsters or anybody that can be offended by violence or bad language.

Having said that, the film is a classic portrayal of American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War, is brilliantly made and often feels like a documentary. The futility of war shines through with the infantry fighters not understanding the politics or the tactics, but realising that their role was to obey orders and try to survive until their tour of duty was over. Each man knew exactly to the day how long he had to go before the war was over for him.

Charlie Sheen (as Chris Taylor) has volunteered to fight in the war and stands out as the white rich kid amongst the men he is fighting with, most of who had no jobs, no future and saw the army as a way out from the lives they had left behind. There is an element of narration in the film when Taylor writes letters back to his Grandma in the USA telling her of his true feelings about the war.

The special effects in this film are extremely good with terrific reality to the firefights that go on throughout the film. The effects of the injuries the men receive are totally believable and if you do not like the sight of blood then you will spend more time looking away from this film than watching it.

The film is set in 1967/8 and I remember all the news reports at that time and how confusing the whole war seemed. This film shows that the war was just as confusing for the men who were fighting in it.

If you enjoy documentary type action films then this is one you will have to watch, but you may need a stiff drink with you to get over all the death and injuries.

Summary: