Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

[JohnnytheSkin]

Anybody seen this? I just watched the "20th Anniversary DVD" and my reaction is simply:

...WOW...

Watching this excellent film coupled with the amazing, Pulitzer worthy 'Sports Illustrated' story on Pat Tillman TOTALLY changes my view on our foreign policy, politics, etc. I'm just in shock at the depths of what our Ivory Tower politicians put guys our age thorough...in the name of "good".

I know this thread may turn ultra political, but I just couldn't help myself. If anyone has ignored the recent SI with Tillman on the cover, pick it up. And see this film!

(stunned silence...)

[USF11]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Oliver Stone is an idiot. After doing homework on how fictious "JFK" was, you just cant trust the guys work.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Oliver Stone is an idiot. After doing homework on how fictious "JFK" was, you just cant trust the guys work.

Except the fact that he served in the United States Army from '67 to '68 and received both a Bronze Star AND Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Seen the movie a number of times. Excellent film.

[The C]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Good movie but all in all, I perfer Apocalypse Now.

[andayaman]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Platoon is in my top 5 of all time favorite movies. I could watch that one over and over again without getting sick of it. Outstanding work by Oliver Stone.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

I'm just struck by the emotions of both pieces ('Platoon' and the SI piece on Pat Tillman). They've totally made me reconsider my entire worldview.

"War is Hell" may be a cliche, but damn, even a fictionalized account makes you think. Couple that with a modern film like 'Jarhead' and a real life hero...I'm definately conflicted now.

Questions keep popping into my head: Why do we fight? Is there such thing as a justified war? Is dissension in the ranks appropriate?

Too much crap to think about at such a late hour It's even worse since my wife is currently out of town, so I can REALLY dwell on such things.

[Victor99]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Great film with a great cast.

[p2xgamers]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

I'm just struck by the emotions of both pieces ('Platoon' and the SI piece on Pat Tillman). They've totally made me reconsider my entire worldview.

"War is Hell" may be a cliche, but damn, even a fictionalized account makes you think. Couple that with a modern film like 'Jarhead' and a real life hero...I'm definately conflicted now.

Questions keep popping into my head: Why do we fight? Is there such thing as a justified war? Is dissension in the ranks appropriate?

Too much crap to think about at such a late hour It's even worse since my wife is currently out of town, so I can REALLY dwell on such things.

Technically war is stupid and none of it would be technically justified, if it didn't exist and someone would bring up the idea he would be laughed. However it is accepted, I guess it's sort of the same with racists...it doesn't make sense (to hate a person that is a different skin tone) but it exists and always will, I don't know why.

[USF11]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Except the fact that he served in the United States Army from '67 to '68 and received both a Bronze Star AND Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam.

Seriously, if you don't want to watch the damn film just say so...being an ignorant *** doesn't serve anyone.

I actually like the movie, I have seen it many times. Tom Berenger is great in that movie. My point is you cant trust a guy like Oliver Stone. Take it for what it is a great movie. Not 100% historical fact.

[thelwig14]

Re: Oliver Stone's "Platoon"

Platoon is nothing more than a movie (similar to Star Wars and Indiana Jones). To confuse it will a historical representation of the Vietnam War or anything of that matter is wrong.


I am in the minority, but I find Oliver Stone grossly overrated. Every subject he touched on, with the exception of JFK, has been done better by someone else. JFK is probably his best work, as long as you watch it as a movie and not a true story. Parts of Born on the 4th of July reached greatness, but it was too uneven and he lost focus in way too many parts.