wisdomwasp

After having watched Platoon, FMJ struck me with how "film like" it was - less realistic which is not a knock. Because it does Everything a film should do, brilliantly.

Joker is the only consistent characater of the film (alongside Cowboy for most) and he is an interesting one, not really moral, enjoying the ride with humour, till he doesnt... But is always compelling.

I enjoyed the vietnam war part of the film more than the marines training, however Ermery is ridiculously good as the drill seargant and D'Onfrio as is his way, is... interesting. Baldwin is also great as the Animal Mother, again a more complex character. The film ends and leaves you unsure where to go next. But thats not a bad thing.

This is a film that hits you like a wrecking ball - Oliver Stone as Vietnam vet knows what he wants to achieve here and does it, brilliantly. One of the greatest, if not the greatest war film I've seen. War is horrific. This is a good reminder that our lives are not as bad as those in war, the lives of the Vietnam vets, the vietnamese people most of all, and even the VC (who thankfully aren't portrayed as good, or even bad, just the enemy).

What makes the film is the acting. Phenomenal acting all round, but the obvious standouts are Sheen, Dafoe and Berenger. I always am staggered at how good an actor Charlie Sheen is when he is in a serious movie and tries - he can play as good a sympathetic character as any. Berenger plays Barnes, the sociopathic soldier brilliantly, one of the best villains in cinema. Alternatively, Dafoe as Elias is one of the best truly good guy characters I've seen in a film. Dafoe can play a good guy as well as a bad one and Elias never strays from being courageous, empathetic and true. And ofcourse leading to the iconic poster scene.

Filmography is great, soundtrack outstanding even if it repeats the same refrain a bit too much.

The voiceover at the end probably isn't needed and the drug scene is one I wonder if based on Oliver Stone's experience or an inserted pro-stoner scene. But I appreciate the message and this film helps me appreciate all those who fought in wars whether won or lost for the freedom and safety I enjoy.