I hated a great deal of it, but I can't call it a complete failure. The stuff I didn't like is mostly concentrated in how manipulative it is, showing us all types of war and civil carnage scenes that border on the pornographic just to make sure that we are on the good guys side when they start kicking ass. I can enjoy crappy action as everybody does, but "inspiring" the masacres of civilians on those recent events in Ruanda is going toooooo far. Another thing I didn't like was the central conflict of Bruce Willis' character, which takes him to disobey direct orders to protect a group of refugees. It is not badly explained, it is simply not explained at all. As simple as that.
On the other hand, I admit I liked Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci. They certainly don't make a memorable couple, but you can see them trying, despite the poorly written characters they have to deal with, specially Willis. And I have to say that just when I had lost all hope, the movie finally picks up steam in its final third, delivering some genuinely distressing action.
I heard good things about this movie, so I bought the DVD. I thought it was a somewhat dull film. Very disappointing.
How come they jumped by parachute, got the people at the village, and then marched 12 miles to get the helicopter?? Later on the helicopter flies right over the village. Why not just take the helicopter to the village in the first place, pick the lady up and then split?
I also thought Bruce Willis's sanctimony was pretty bad. He kills half his men to save some tribal leader when it's the tribal leaders that are the PROBLEM in that part of the world. Are we expected to believe that he was a just and good tribal leader and only the other tribe was evil? Or is the guy Willis saved just going to recoup his strength and go chopping heads and arms off himself?
Stupid, simplistic movie. That would be fine if it didn't pretend to be more... but it did.
I'd have to agree, I've seen so many great war films like the Deer Hunter & Platton that when I watch a soul-less terd like Tears... it makes me fall asleep.