Platoon

Oliver Stone, 1986 (9.5*)

Best Picture (AA)

AFI Top 100

War films don't get any better than this, Oliver Stone based this on his own Vietnam experience. Rather than a poetic tribute (Apocalypse Now!), this is a dirty, infected, blood-spurting wound type of war film, very realistic. Particularly harrowing is a night ambush scene, one of the best war sequences ever.

Perhaps Charlie Sheen wasn't a great choice for a rookie private who is the central character of the story, but Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger turned in their best performances as two philosophically opposed sergeants; Dafoe represents the more humanitarian 'hippie' ideals, while Berenger is the old style, blood 'n guts infantry sergeant from earlier wars. Unforgettable images of the horrors of war and personal moral dilemna. Five Oscars

Quote: Ain't nothin better'n a piece of pussy, 'cept maybe the Indy 500, and country music.

Quote2: Redneck noise, always whining bout how they ho done left em and they aint' got no money for beer; hell, I'd be leavin too if I had to listen to that shit all day!