This is a slightly more Hollywoodized war movie than Black Hawk Down, but there are similarities, in that it follows a specific group of people through a battle campaign that actually occurred. I say Hollywoodized because they also tried to tell the story of the soldiers' wives and families back home. The film recounts one of the earliest major battles the Americans took part in in Vietnam. The war action is very realistic and horrific, quite gory and sometimes difficult to watch. Mel Gibson is the commander leading the men into battle, and he's good in the role, although in all his movies, sometimes I detect a little of the goofy Lethal Weapon side of him showing through. Barry Pepper deserves special mention as the army photographer who goes along for the ride and finds himself involved in a little more than just taking pictures.

The sound mix (with the surrounds working) also deserves special mention. Very involving, well done. The print was beautiful but kind of grainy (Super 35 blowup maybe?).

There have been so many good war movies in recent years, this one among them, that I have a hard time figuring out what else Hollywood can do with this genre without just repeating itself (which it is basically already doing anyway).

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- dave
Look at this! His chin strap has been cut!