Worst of these four War movies? (1 Viewer)

[Keith R]

Wanted to get the FFA's take on a recent discussion elsewhere. These four movies have little in common other than being war movies with big-name directors involved, so it may seem like an odd question.

I also wonder about inherent bias regarding being "based on a true story". Such a designation doesn't affect my perception or evaluation of a film but I wonder how true that is for others.

 

[Insein]

Platoon is my least favorite. Just doesn't do anything for me.

 

[The General]

American Sniper. Not that close IMO.

 

[El Floppo]

Platoon feels dated on recent watches, but I remember walking out of the theater pretty blown away.

Sniper felt a bit... meh.. even in the theater. Voted Sniper.

wtf is putting Full Metal Jacket behind those other three? insanity.

 

[Mors Venit]

Platoon

Havent seen american snipet

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Platoon is my least favorite. Just doesn't do anything for me.

Not a fan either. But I voted American Sniper.

 

[KarmaPolice]

American Sniper. Not that close IMO.

Agree 100%. Not a good movie.

 

[Courtjester]

I went Sniper as well. The other 3 are classics.

 

[sbonomo]

I loved all of these movies - complete fail of wording on this post so i wont vote. Order that i like them is:

Full metal jacket

Saving private ryan

Platoon

American sniper

 

[sbonomo]

I loved all of these movies - Order that i like them is:

Full metal jacket

Saving private ryan

Platoon

American sniper

 

[KarmaPolice]

I loved all of these movies - complete fail of wording on this post so i wont vote. Order that i like them is:

Full metal jacket

Saving private ryan

Platoon

American sniper

The poll question includes "least favorite" and you answered that.

 

[NutterButter]

First have of full metal = awesome. 2nd half = meh. B/c of that, torn between that and platoon.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Wanted to get the FFA's take on a recent discussion elsewhere. These four movies have little in common other than being war movies with big-name directors involved, so it may seem like an odd question.

I also wonder about inherent bias regarding being "based on a true story". Such a designation doesn't affect my perception or evaluation of a film but I wonder how true that is for others.

What was the original discussion about?

 

[KarmaPolice]

First have of full metal = awesome. 2nd half = meh. B/c of that, torn between that and platoon.

Of course it is one of my favorite movies, so I think the 2nd half is every bit as awesome as the 1st. Did people just want 90 mins of basic training?

 

[Keith R]

Wanted to get the FFA's take on a recent discussion elsewhere. These four movies have little in common other than being war movies with big-name directors involved, so it may seem like an odd question.

I also wonder about inherent bias regarding being "based on a true story". Such a designation doesn't affect my perception or evaluation of a film but I wonder how true that is for others.

What was the original discussion about?

It began about American Sniper being a good movie or not a good movie. Someone threw the other three movies out as better war movies, which Sniper defenders disagreed with practically unilaterally. One said SPR was better but not the others, some said Sniper was the best of the bunch, and some said Sniper was the worst.

I don't think Sniper is a bad movie but clearly inferior to FMJ and SPR. Platoon is closer but slightly favor it as well.

ETA - One of the initial arguments in favor of Sniper was how it was based on a true story. A detractor pointed out that it was not that accurate of a true story. My position was that whether a film is based, accurately or otherwise, on a true story does not affect its entertainment value. If anything, strict adherence to a true story's template could deprive the film of better narrative possibilities.

 

[TenTimes]

First have of full metal = awesome. 2nd half = meh. B/c of that, torn between that and platoon.

Of course it is one of my favorite movies, so I think the 2nd half is every bit as awesome as the 1st. Did people just want 90 mins of basic training?

Good question. I have the same opinion as NB then thought what I'd replace the second half with and had nothing. Same with Clovkwork Orange, prefer the first half, not sure how I'd change the second half.

 

[Tom Servo]

So Ann-Margaret's not coming, eh?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

So Ann-Margaret's not coming, eh?

Margrock

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Platoon for me.

Still a good movie, but I don't like it as much as the others.

Except for the political hot buttons it pressed, and I have no interest in debating that, I don't get people saying American Sniper wasn't a "good movie". I guess I would like to hear why its detractors think that (minus the debate on the politics/"true story" angle).

 

[Buckychudd]

Least favorite of these is American Sniper. Not a well done movie IMO.

However, none of these are as bad as The Hurt Locker, which is a steaming pile of poo.

 

[Buckychudd]

Also slightly biased against "True Stories".

Not based on the label, but they mostly suffer from the same thing, which is trying to cover too much and not focusing in on an event. It's hard to make a compelling movie about 20-30 years of someone's life, particularly if there isn't a coherent theme (most real people don't have a 30 year theme to their lives).

There are some that break that mold, like Black Hawk down. Which is one of my favorite war movies. It covers about a 14 hour period.

 

[Chadstroma]

I think all four were well done movies and have little criticism for any of them.

American Sniper and Saving Private Ryan were top of the heap so I was left choosing between Full Metal Jacket and Platoon. Full Metal Jacket is a 'deeper' movie and probably even better made than Platoon but I ended up taking it just because there are a few points where it may have been a little longer than needed. By the slimmest of margins, I was forced to Full Metal Jacket.

I have no idea why American Sniper is getting the hate. I am suspicious it is politically/socially motivated versus the movie itself but then again- taste in movies is subjective. My wife likes the Twilight Series. :X

 

[Mr. Mojo]

When I first saw Platoon I thought it was OK, but it's actually grown on me after more watching.

 

[Johnnymac]

American Sniper. Not that close IMO.

This.

 

[pollardsvision]

Never seen American Sniper, but for some reason, I wasn't a fan of Saving Private Ryan. I could understand liking the 800 hour opening scene (wasn't my thing, but certainly it was impressively shot), but I thought everything after that was boring as hell.

 

[zamboni]

First have of full metal = awesome. 2nd half = meh. B/c of that, torn between that and platoon.

Of course it is one of my favorite movies, so I think the 2nd half is every bit as awesome as the 1st. Did people just want 90 mins of basic training?

Considering how awesome R. Lee Ermey and Vincent D'Onofrio were, it would be fine by me. Needed some actual combat though to give it more authenticity.

I picked Saving Private Ryan - the beginning was obviously awesome, but I think dropped off after that.

As an aside, I'm glad you didn't put Apocalypse Now or The Deer Hunter in there. Those stand tall above all four of the ones listed IMO.

 

[El Floppo]

First have of full metal = awesome. 2nd half = meh. B/c of that, torn between that and platoon.

Of course it is one of my favorite movies, so I think the 2nd half is every bit as awesome as the 1st. Did people just want 90 mins of basic training?

Considering how awesome R. Lee Ermey and Vincent D'Onofrio were, it would be fine by me. Needed some actual combat though to give it more authenticity.

I picked Saving Private Ryan - the beginning was obviously awesome, but I think dropped off after that.

As an aside, I'm glad you didn't put Apocalypse Now or The Deer Hunter in there. Those stand tall above all four of the ones listed IMO.

Private Ryan was worse than Sniper for you? well... ok.

 

[The General]

I have no idea why American Sniper is getting the hate. I am suspicious it is politically/socially motivated versus the movie itself but then again- taste in movies is subjective. My wife likes the Twilight Series. :X

Not at all for me. I was very excited for this movie after the trailer came out - which if people don't remember was just the scene with the sniper in the impossible scenario of having to decide if he is going to shoot a kid - read the book as well. Am a big Clint fan also so was thinking it was going to be great. I am not a huge fan of the politics but completely removed that from how I viewed the movie.

Felt like it wasn't that well made. Also, knowing the story was pretty bummed they changed so much.

Had some great, great scenes but all in all was just a good movie and not great IMO.

 

[Buzzbait]

Mine (best to least)

Saving Private Ryan

Full Metal Jacket
American Sniper
Platoon

 

[Chadstroma]

I have no idea why American Sniper is getting the hate. I am suspicious it is politically/socially motivated versus the movie itself but then again- taste in movies is subjective. My wife likes the Twilight Series. :X

Not at all for me. I was very excited for this movie after the trailer came out - which if people don't remember was just the scene with the sniper in the impossible scenario of having to decide if he is going to shoot a kid - read the book as well. Am a big Clint fan also so was thinking it was going to be great. I am not a huge fan of the politics but completely removed that from how I viewed the movie.

Felt like it wasn't that well made. Also, knowing the story was pretty bummed they changed so much.

Had some great, great scenes but all in all was just a good movie and not great IMO.

Reading a book and then seeing a movie after pretty much always means the movie is not going to be good.

 

[Pigskin Fanatic]

Also slightly biased against "True Stories".

Not based on the label, but they mostly suffer from the same thing, which is trying to cover too much and not focusing in on an event. It's hard to make a compelling movie about 20-30 years of someone's life, particularly if there isn't a coherent theme (most real people don't have a 30 year theme to their lives).

There are some that break that mold, like Black Hawk down. Which is one of my favorite war movies. It covers about a 14 hour period.

I have no idea why American Sniper is getting the hate. I am suspicious it is politically/socially motivated versus the movie itself but then again- taste in movies is subjective.

this is why i hate historical movies based on true stories. do people hate the movie? or hate the events? if they hate the events do they really know what happened just from the movie? these movies focus so much on a single point to dramatize and glorify things for ticket sales that any "serious" discussions about the historical event depicted based on the movie is hard to watch. that turned me off to american sniper. It's a movie, it has entertainment value or it doesn't. These are akin to reality TV shows for me, scripted events loosely based on something that may have happened as shown. For entertainment value easy choice imo.

 

[Todem]

Most fav to least fav (I like them all a lot).

Saving Private Ryan

Platoon

Full Metal Jacket

American Sniper

 

[Sinrman]

How the hell did any vote for Full Metal Jacket!?! Pure genius!

 

[1234]

Voted Saving Private Ryan because Tom Hanks is awful.

 

[Fennis]

American Sniper is the worst of the four, but I did like it

 

[Fennis]

Wanted to get the FFA's take on a recent discussion elsewhere. These four movies have little in common other than being war movies with big-name directors involved, so it may seem like an odd question.

I also wonder about inherent bias regarding being "based on a true story". Such a designation doesn't affect my perception or evaluation of a film but I wonder how true that is for others.

Thanks for doing a worst poll, instead of best. We need more of these.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Never seen Platoon but Sniper kinda sucked so I'm assuming it's worse

I'd probably vote it above that turd Hurt Locker though

 

[El Floppo]

Also slightly biased against "True Stories".

Not based on the label, but they mostly suffer from the same thing, which is trying to cover too much and not focusing in on an event. It's hard to make a compelling movie about 20-30 years of someone's life, particularly if there isn't a coherent theme (most real people don't have a 30 year theme to their lives).

There are some that break that mold, like Black Hawk down. Which is one of my favorite war movies. It covers about a 14 hour period.

I have no idea why American Sniper is getting the hate. I am suspicious it is politically/socially motivated versus the movie itself but then again- taste in movies is subjective.

this is why i hate historical movies based on true stories. do people hate the movie? or hate the events? if they hate the events do they really know what happened just from the movie? these movies focus so much on a single point to dramatize and glorify things for ticket sales that any "serious" discussions about the historical event depicted based on the movie is hard to watch. that turned me off to american sniper. It's a movie, it has entertainment value or it doesn't. These are akin to reality TV shows for me, scripted events loosely based on something that may have happened as shown. For entertainment value easy choice imo.

fwiw- I had no idea what the "story" was, outside of how he died.

didn't hate the movie, just thought it was pretty meh story-telling and flim-making. the other three did much better jobs with the "film" part of things... especially Ryan and Jacket.

 

[The General]

I have no idea why American Sniper is getting the hate. I am suspicious it is politically/socially motivated versus the movie itself but then again- taste in movies is subjective. My wife likes the Twilight Series. :X

Not at all for me. I was very excited for this movie after the trailer came out - which if people don't remember was just the scene with the sniper in the impossible scenario of having to decide if he is going to shoot a kid - read the book as well. Am a big Clint fan also so was thinking it was going to be great. I am not a huge fan of the politics but completely removed that from how I viewed the movie.

Felt like it wasn't that well made. Also, knowing the story was pretty bummed they changed so much.

Had some great, great scenes but all in all was just a good movie and not great IMO.

Reading a book and then seeing a movie after pretty much always means the movie is not going to be good.

Not as much so with non-fiction for me. Full Metal Jacket was based on a book, couldn't finish it but have watched the movie many times.

 

[joffer]

Platoon. Very overrated.

 

[Neal Cassady]

Platoon

 

[sports_fan]

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[KarmaPolice]

Wanted to get the FFA's take on a recent discussion elsewhere. These four movies have little in common other than being war movies with big-name directors involved, so it may seem like an odd question.

I also wonder about inherent bias regarding being "based on a true story". Such a designation doesn't affect my perception or evaluation of a film but I wonder how true that is for others.

What was the original discussion about?

It began about American Sniper being a good movie or not a good movie. Someone threw the other three movies out as better war movies, which Sniper defenders disagreed with practically unilaterally. One said SPR was better but not the others, some said Sniper was the best of the bunch, and some said Sniper was the worst.

I don't think Sniper is a bad movie but clearly inferior to FMJ and SPR. Platoon is closer but slightly favor it as well.

ETA - One of the initial arguments in favor of Sniper was how it was based on a true story. A detractor pointed out that it was not that accurate of a true story. My position was that whether a film is based, accurately or otherwise, on a true story does not affect its entertainment value. If anything, strict adherence to a true story's template could deprive the film of better narrative possibilities.

Nothing political here - I actually was expecting worse on that front. I just thought it had a couple great scenes, but the rest was bland. I did think he tried too hard to ramp up the drama by doing dumb stuff like having Cooper talking to his wife during battle. Also thought it dismissed his domestic issues quickly - we see one brief scene of him talking to somebody and suddenly he seems back to normal?

I used to gravitate towards "based on a true story movies" but tired of how little they followed it. Now I try not to let it cloud my judgement of the movie, but use it as a tool to think about what the people who made the movie decided to include or not to include in their version of the story.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Least favorite of these is American Sniper. Not a well done movie IMO.

However, none of these are as bad as The Hurt Locker, which is a steaming pile of poo.

 

[Fariq]

Platoon is my least favorite. Just doesn't do anything for me.

ditto

 

[KarmaPolice]

First have of full metal = awesome. 2nd half = meh. B/c of that, torn between that and platoon.

Of course it is one of my favorite movies, so I think the 2nd half is every bit as awesome as the 1st. Did people just want 90 mins of basic training?

Considering how awesome R. Lee Ermey and Vincent D'Onofrio were, it would be fine by me. Needed some actual combat though to give it more authenticity.

I picked Saving Private Ryan - the beginning was obviously awesome, but I think dropped off after that.

As an aside, I'm glad you didn't put Apocalypse Now or The Deer Hunter in there. Those stand tall above all four of the ones listed IMO.

Too many war movies seem to feel they have to shoehorn combat scenes in there, and I like FMJ for not doing that as much. I think it makes the climax that much more powerful. I liked that it was as much about the horrors of before and after combat than what goes on during. Of course it's subjective, and we don't seem to agree on these - I find the last two you named to be a bit overrated myself. Not a fan of the last 1/3 or so of Apocalypse Now.

 

[Aerial Assault]

American Sniper. Not that close IMO.

This.

 

[Christo]

American Sniper. Not that close IMO.

 

[crnerblitz]

American Sniper isn't even the best war pic Eastwood has made or been in for that matter.

 

[Christo]

American Sniper isn't even the best war pic Eastwood has made or been in for that matter.

I don't think you'd get much argument there.