Platoon Movie Review

Platoon is a 1986 Vietnam war film directed by Oliver Stone. The movie is one of the most famous of the type and it got Best Picture.

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“Excuses are like assholes, Taylor, everybody got one“

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It follows one platoon in the Vietnam war and as the story, it is very weak. The film is obsessed with action, there is action sequence after action sequence and it quickly gets annoying. It should have gone into some war themes instead of that.

Also the realism of the film in terms of violence is excellent because it shows the truth, but is nonetheless very appalling and impossible to watch at times. And as for the characters, they are so-so and pretty underdeveloped and it definitely is a flaw. The film should have had good characterization and some themes and dialogue in order to be successful.

The scenes with all the characters just relaxing and having fun, while too long and even serving as a detour, are the highlight here bringing some necessary character development and heart which the rest of the film fails to bring. And one thing I noticed is how both whites and blacks get along well and the scenes with them hugging not only show the friendship but also serve as a powerful message against racism which is subtle and that is great. Hollywood should take notes from this film and they should make more films like this, just showing the races interacting together in a positive manner instead of making biographical and historical films about racism. This is way more powerful, subtle and professional. That is the biggest praise I can give to this movie.

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Platoon Movie Review

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As for the acting, it is solid, but nothing quite remarkable as is the direction. The editing is okay as is the cinematography, but nothing from the technical aspects screams excellent and nothing stands out which is problematic.

It got Best Picture but it did not deserve it because as this type of film goes, ‘The Deer Hunter’ and ‘Full Metal Jacket’ are a lot better films that are superior in almost everything.

Platoon has some nice character interactions and it is realistic and grounded in its approach, but it lacks character development, it lacks any plot and themes and message whatsoever, it is not that well made and it is all around a very disappointing, overrated and lackluster films that is also immensely inferior to some other great Vietnam war movies.