Heartbreak Ridge

I thought Clint Eastwood would come up with a military blockbuster that will make me laugh as it happened perhaps only with the M.A.S.H. 4077. But it’s still not a bad movie. Heartbreak Ridge has a classic idea, a classic rendition, just as classic course and an even more classic conclusion. In fact, it’s all absolutely average. This is improved by Clint Eastwood himself, who as a sergeant employed certain slightly harsh methods, and his platoon ignored him. This creates a lot of good but also bad situations and the biggest problem lies with the platoon. I couldn’t stand those guys. The actors portrayed them as a band of usual douchebags in a way that I had to root for Clint, who at least kept showing some effort throughout the film. (03/12/2012)

Something between Full Metal Jacket and G.I. Jane, but lacking the raw war setting of the former and the tough abandon and testosterone of the latter. Clint Eastwood is a cool tough guy and his fights the pumped-up Marines are cool to watch, but the action itself (especially the final set piec) is one big confusing mess. I don't know what Eastwood (behind the camera) was playing at, but the result is a failure that completely misses the mark as a simulation of combat. The slightly satirical subtext and plenty of one-liners are cool and mostly spot-on and funny in the given situation. Everett McGill trained his toughness and arrogance here for Under Siege 2, where he is even better and cooler by several notches. (24/02/2007)