I love my war movies and this is a particularly good one but shown from the non-USA viewpoint this time.
Most people I would imagine don't have a clue that the Aussies and NZ boys were involved in the Vietnam war due to all the previous films and its been a long time since we have had another Vietnam war movie since the excellent and my favourite Vietnam war series TOUR OF DUTY was made or movies like HAMBURGER HILL and PLATOON so this is also a refreshing surprise. It also gives the viewer a bit more of the history and involvement of other nations in the Vietnam war!
Negatives - Although the characterisation is a bit lax and the acting could be a bit more intense; it seems a bit laid back at times which affects the suspense, nevertheless the movie still moves at speed, has some great slow-mo scenes similar in style to the recent superlative Russian movie T-34. The location however does not really feel like it was shot in Vietnam or any jungle anywhere but somewhere in NZ Or Aus.
Nevertheless it shows what the Aussies went through during the war and gives a real feel for the conditions and sheer terror of that war in a way that is more visceral and true to life than Platoon or any of the American variants did and if you are into your action sequences then you will absolutely not be disappointed.
I rarely give a movie more than 5/6 out of ten stars these days; if even that but this one is lifted well out of the average bracket and gets a fair 7/10 from me!
Most people I would imagine don't have a clue that the Aussies and NZ boys were involved in the Vietnam war due to all the previous films and its been a long time since we have had another Vietnam war movie since the excellent and my favourite Vietnam war series TOUR OF DUTY was made or movies like HAMBURGER HILL and PLATOON so this is also a refreshing surprise. It also gives the viewer a bit more of the history and involvement of other nations in the Vietnam war!
Negatives - Although the characterisation is a bit lax and the acting could be a bit more intense; it seems a bit laid back at times which affects the suspense, nevertheless the movie still moves at speed, has some great slow-mo scenes similar in style to the recent superlative Russian movie T-34. The location however does not really feel like it was shot in Vietnam or any jungle anywhere but somewhere in NZ Or Aus.
Nevertheless it shows what the Aussies went through during the war and gives a real feel for the conditions and sheer terror of that war in a way that is more visceral and true to life than Platoon or any of the American variants did and if you are into your action sequences then you will absolutely not be disappointed.
I rarely give a movie more than 5/6 out of ten stars these days; if even that but this one is lifted well out of the average bracket and gets a fair 7/10 from me!