Rating: 
Summary: No tigers and no heart pounding action
Review: The acting is good and the characters are enjoyable but it's a "B" film with a "B" story. Why you say when pretty much everyone else gives it a 5 star. I found it some what boring. All this movie is about is amateur soldiers in a military training camp and that's it. If you are expecting to see a war than don't watch. That's why I'm giving the 3 stars. Colin Farrel is a cool guy but not good enough to get the 5 star.
Rating: 
Summary: Taken by Surprise
Review: I only picked up this movie because I was interested in a war film. I don't remember it when it was released a few years ago, but I was very surprised as to the quality of the story. For me, this is the director's best movie since Falling Down. Both movies keep the story line and the photography simple, which places the emphasis and burden on good dialogue and character development. Colin Farrell's character, Bozz, reminds me of the Steven McQueen anti-hero from the Sand Pebbles in how he grudgingly accepted that he must see himself in relation to others and forget his own interests. I appreciate those who argue whether the film's action scenes are realistic or not, but what is real is the need to involve oneself in society. The supporting cast are quite good especially the actor playing Private Johnson. This film is definitely not to be seen with children in the room or within hearing distance. It is brutal and the emotions are raw, but I suspect that this is a realistic feeling among those readying themselves to enter a war that is with questionable value for their country. Overall, I prefer this movie to Platoon or Full Metal Jacket as those movies tried to do too much with the issues of war and soldiers' reactions to combat.
| 
