"We Were Soldiers"

[artful]

Ok,...so I don't watch many movies, and usually wait till it's history before I venture to view one, ...sue me. Last night, I watched the movie, "We Were Soldiers", (Mel Gibson).

In my opinion, this is what movie making should be all about. War? No,...but the ability of the storyline, the cast of characters etc.,...to reach within us, and play our strings of emotions with smooth and seamless strokes of the art, (no pun intended).

Each of us who viewed the movie, reacted in our own personal ways, and we were gifted with many choices, of which we all may have a "favorite" scene, performance or line, which captured our hearts.

I found the graphic visualization to be very real, and the insight into the 'enemies' distress an added bonus. Also,...the relating of "Custer's Last Stand", was a meaningful reference.

I experienced sadness, I cried, I laughed, I danced with joy, and stood tall, with strength and pride, and yet was able to be brought to my humble knees a second later.

Anyone care to comment, or offer their opinion? Did you have a favorite *something* you would like to mention? Please discuss.

 

[dragonhearted]

As yet.......

....I have not had the privilege of viewing "We Were Soldiers", but I feel if Mel Gibson is in it, it is bound to be good.

 

[Chuckus]

What an awesome movie..........and based on an actual true story.


I really really liked that movie.........and in fact saw it a couple of times in the theaters.

"These are our horses..........."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Contrast:

I liked it, but did not, by any means, feel it was great. It was mostly action, with what I felt was the tease of an effective plotline and productive characters. I guess what bothered me about it, looking back, is that Mel Gibson's character (Hal Moore?) never really changes. It was like Black Hawk Down, where it was more a recollection of what happened than the teling of the story. And, like in Black Hawk Down, it had star power that just sort of sat there, while other characters were portrayed as stronger, yet played by weaker actors. Chris Klein (in "Soldiers") cannot act for shit, period. Yet, Barry Pepper can, and played a role that was equal in importance to Klein's character, without much pop. Black Hawk Down, one fo the best actors in the movie, Ewan McGregor, seemed as though he were part of the scenery.
I don't get it.
Honestly, though, I tend to dislike movies that weren't created to be movies. Films like these two were creted to recreate what happened more than anything else, not to sell plot, which is what I look for in a film. That was the good thng about Pearl Harbor. It was a combination of both, two stories at once. The character study was seperate from the action. Both were done well enough.
Just my .02

 

[KillerMuffin]

As always, the book was far better. I recommend skipping the movie and reading the book.

 

[artful]

To All

What an awesome movie..........and based on an actual true story.


I really really liked that movie.........and in fact saw it a couple of times in the theaters.

"These are our horses..........."

Thanks for your response, did you have a favorite *something* in the movie?

Dragonhearted,...I highly recommend any to watch the movie, that are adult enough to handle the language and graphic displays.

Quiet_Cool,...I think the plot was well hidden, (pertaining to the reversal of Custer's battle), a nice twist. The storyline meshed well with what actually took place,...361 men against 4,000 plus.
This is one movie however,...that didn't need a convuluted sense of mystery and surprise, to play our emotions, that is experienced with another great movie, "The Pelican Brief"-Denzil Washington, (JMHO).Thanks for your response.

 

[dragonhearted]

Yes........

As always, the book was far better. I recommend skipping the movie and reading the book.

...but is that not true of most movies?

 

[Chuckus]

Re: To All

Thanks for your response, did you have a favorite *something* in the movie?

I dunno really, I just felt like I was there. It doesn't necessarily have a huge plot, other than our US Forces being led into a slaughter and fighting their way out, or any real acting, I mean it is a war movie..........but I just dug it.

(Please note that there is sarcasm in the above.)

That was just a good movie, books are usually better......but I don't know if anyone could have painted a better picture in such a short time (by that the running time of the movie).

 

[Guest]

Once Were Warriors was much better.

 

[Shaq]

We were soldiers...until this restrictive governement changed the definition of soldiers so it doesn't included street vigilantes....damn you Uncle Sam...

 

[artful]

To All

I think one of my favorite performances in the movie, was when Mel Gibson addressed his men just prior to leaving for overseas. I thought it was awesomely powerful, and he did quite a job in delivering that speech. Also,...for that performance alone,...you can't get that from reading a book.

 

[artful]

Re: Re: To All

That was just a good movie, books are usually better......but I don't know if anyone could have painted a better picture in such a short time (by that the running time of the movie).

I quite agree. In this movie,...there was very little 'filler' material. It kept plucking your emotions, all the way through to the end.

 

[Chuckus]

Re: Re: Re: To All

I quite agree. In this movie,...there was very little 'filler' material. It kept plucking your emotions, all the way through to the end.

Indeed it did. Sometimes there needs to be a plot.........but this movie spoke for itself. It was all about what happened and portrayed that.

 

[artful]

(shameless bump)

 

[Siren]

 

[artful]

Siren,...

guy thread.




* KM is an honorary guy.

...maybe,...but watching the movie,...I cried, (a lot).

 

[christophe]

the book is very good! the movie was good as well!

 

[T.H. Oughts]

I must go see that one. I bet Sam Elliott looks super sexy in it.

 

[SXCRgirl]

My most favorite part of the movie was not in a battle scene. It really touched me to see Mel and Chris Klein in the chapel praying. Mel looks down and sees Chris' new bracelet with his daughter's name on it and *orders* him to keep it on.

It shows compassion, camaderie and bonding between the men. This is why our military men fight. It's about the man next to you. Reasons as to why you're there, go out the window when you start thinking of your platoon and the men that serve with you.

Oh and because they're ordered to do so.

 

[Lost Cause]

The brotherhood.....

That bonds soldiers in time of battle, or extreme circumstances is forever. I cry during parts of combat related movies when close buddies are lost, it IS like losing a blood brothers. Some movies I don't forget easy, and usually have a little ptsd in my dreams. They all are good in that respect, but my favorites are..

*We were Soldiers
*Saving Private Ryan
*Blackhawk Down
*Firebase Gloria
*Full Metal Jacket
*Battleground (oldie)
*Gettysburg (TNT)
*Apocalypse Now (abstractly)

 

[~Dream~]

Re: Siren,...

...maybe,...but watching the movie,...I cried, (a lot).

__________________
aww baby , wish I could have been there with You honey ..

but I will wach ALOT of movies with you Master and thats a promise .. anything with Keaneau Reeve is my fav ... yummmmy love you Master

 

[~Dream~]

PLEEEEEEZZEE

CLEAN OUT YOUR PM BOX MASTER GEEZ !!! XOXOXO I WANNA TALK WITH YOU! man oh man ,,