Went to see this turkey yesterday and I am pretty surprised nobody said to me it was such a waste of time.
I expected something extremely patriotic but well filmed. Instead, I found something not that patriotic but really bad filmed. Director Randall Wallace seems to have no idea at all of how to direct a movie. Not that he seemed at "The man with the iron mask", but I though that before taking such a big film like as this one he might have taken some lessons. But no.
To start with, the film script is trashy. We are introduced to the soldiers at first, but only in a couple of scenes. We are also introduced to their wifes, but can't see why, because they only speak about laundries and cooking. Anyway, we also see some of the soldiers training, but that's all, because nothing important happens there. I guess the filmakers (I have to call them some name) decided that it was not a good idea to make a two-hour something film completely based on battle, and for once I agree. I have also to say that some interesting issues were hinted, such as how it feels to be the person who's gonna be responsible for the death of many people, most of them friends, but that was all.
And then it comes the major attraction and problem of the movie: most of the rest of it is the reconstruction of a battle in Vietnam. And if Wallace showed little skill before, this is his apotheosis. Practically all the frames seem chosen on-the-go, without any type of criteria, everything is monotone, there's no dramatism or tension at all as the... characters? die, battles are messy, editing abrupt, music and songs used in the poorest way imaginable... Again I have to recognise some good ideas, such as treating with some dignity the NVA soldiers and their leaders, but even this is clumsily used. When I heard the NVA leader's last words I didn't know if to cry, shout or laugh. Oh, and Mel Gibson has some good acting moments, when he finally realises he's not in a comedy, but it takes him quite a lot to realise. Other actors (Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliot) are good but underused.
In conclusion, this is like "Black Hawk Down", but without the good camera work or the hints that somebody with some intelligence is at the reigns.
Randall Wallace. This is the same dude who wrote BRAVEHEART, but he also wrote the atrocious script to PEARL HARBOR! However, BRAVEHEART was, in my opinion, not that well written either. So, as a writer he seems to have very little to offer.
That, and I didn't see WE WERE SOLDIERS due to featuring Mel Gibson. Let's face it, Gibson is a John Wayne imitator. I liked the original John Wayne, but Gibson! Sorry, Gibson just won't do. And after putting some really bad performances in BRAVEHEART and THE PATRIOT, I am not too interested in WE WERE SOLDIERS. Just my opinion, so I might be in the minority when it comes to Gibson and his so-called "great" films.
I might give WE WERE SOLDIRES a try, but it will be in the way distant future!
Chris K. said: "I might give WE WERE SOLDIRES a try, but it will be in the way distant future"
I hope you don't, otherwise I would have failed in my mission.
Chris K. also said: "Let's face it, Gibson is a John Wayne imitator."
Funny thing I also thought of Wayne when I saw the movie. Some reviewers say it is close to "The Green Berets", but instead it reminded me of "The Alamo". Not only it is as obvious and amateureshly shot, but also the fun ends up depending in watching endless groups of people killing each others for hours and hours. I have to admit that in that sense, "The Alamo" was better, at least the uniforms had more colours.
And if you end up watching WWS, please watch carefully at least two scenes:
1) The one taking place at dawn in a dried river's shore, where overimposed text says it is 6.00 AM but light and shadows scream "It's midday".
2) The "dramatic" moment when a soldier's wife refuses to accept the telegram announcing his husband's death. Looks like taken from a Monty Python sketch.
I'm sorry, but I'll have to disagree with you on We were soldiers. Being a bit of a history buff I thought they did an excellent job recreating the first American battle of Vietnam.
I also thought the movie was shot much better than "Black Hawk Down". BHD used too many shakey cameras and bad angles. WWS followed the action well, and captured the horror of the war from both sides.
BHD wasn't very patriotic feeling at all. It was more of a 2 hour dog fight that left you with a feeling of big deal. WWS captured the essence of how divided our country was about Vietnam and how proud we should be of the people who died in that conflict (even though we shouldn't have been there).
Plus the whole "leave no one behind" thing in BHD was a bit over done. Let's leave our men stranded so they won't be left behind? Right!