From the outset I have to say that I have been waiting 30 odd years for this film to be made after first reading the books about it, so my expectations were high. Overall, a good film, but I do have some issues with it. First and foremost is the inexcusable over-use of American M-16's throughout the film. The 7.62 mm L1A1 self-loading rifle (SLR) was the standard infantry weapon used by the Australian Army during the Vietnam War. Occasional M-16's may have been used here and there by forward scouts (not in this film), but that's a pretty obvious and sad mistake to make. The absurdity of this would also play out when D Company ran critically low of ammunition and required a gallant aerial re-supply - the distribution of two different size types of ammunition; 5.56mm (for the M-16's) and 7.62mm (for the SLR's) on the battlefield would be shambolic at best. There is also a scene in the film that shows the patrolling soldiers all with their weapons pointing the same direction (left). Australian Army infantry patrol with every other soldier's weapon pointing the opposite direction to the man in front (ie; left, right, left, right, and so on) - so that when a contact is made - return fire can be laid down immediately towards the enemy regardless of where the contact came from. My other main criticism of the film is the portrayal of the chain of command being portrayed as so un-professional that every soldier of rank in the film at some stage disobeys direct orders from their superior officer. They even have a scene were a private physically attacks a Major in the field - which then somehow inexplicably evolves into an unlikely schmaltzy bromance. For me this bromance was probably the weakest part of the film (besides using the wrong weapons - did I mention that?) Thankfully the stronger parts of the film such as the initial 'contact' and ensuing battle in the rubber plantation with artillery rounds crashing all around them is outstanding. The impact of soldiers being hit by enemy fire and thrown around like rag dolls from explosions is brilliantly executed. Most of the CG used in the film was OK, - not brilliant, but better than usual for an Aussie film. The scene with the U.S. F4 Phantoms was getting my blood going until the aircraft banked to the left, making me wonder if the CG computer artists have ever actually watched footage of a jet aircraft bank and turn in the air (this criticism isn't in any way reserved for Australian films either - other U.S. big budget blockbusters have equally failed with realistic CG aircraft motion). To conclude, the strong elements of the film in most ways make up for the weak elements and mistakes. The sad part for me though, is that the weak parts and mistakes could have been so easily avoided or overcome that they could have, should have made a more superior film.
Review of Danger Close
