The Vietnam War is one of the most controversial topics in American history and no movie captures the essence of this time period better than Oliver Stone’s “Platoon”.

Released in 1986, the film follows the story of Chris Taylor, a young soldier played by Charlie Sheen. Based on Stone’s time serving in Vietnam, Taylor narrates the story and comments on the physical and emotional exhaustion an infantryman was likely to encounter. This movie stands out because it is unfiltered. Both the language and the gore appear natural and raw.These elements are a crucial part of any war story.

This movie is different from other war films because it focuses so much on accuracy. It lacks the kind of unnatural plot elements that most movies use to add action. However, that does not detract from the drama. There are many intense battle scenes with plenty of explosions and gore to entertain while still being realistic. In addition, none of the characters act particularly heroic which is rare in this type of movie, but it adds to the realism.

One element that brings out the film’s realism is the dialogue. When soldiers are pushed to their limits, their reactions are often unsightly. Viewers who find curse words offensive should stay away from “Platoon”, but this is part of the reality of war.

The Vietnam War caused division in the United States. Many Americans protested the war and some even dodged the draft because they objected to the conflict. This controversy is captured in the disagreements between characters. The movie focuses on an internal conflict as Chris finds himself caught between two more experienced soldiers. Elias (Willem Dafoe) shows the more sentimental side of the conflict. He often questions the morality of the army’s actions and encourages Chris to do the same. On the other end of the spectrum is Barnes (Tom Berenger) who barks orders at all the soldiers and has no objection to violence or murder.

However, the plot of the movie lacks any traditional conflict which makes it hard to follow. There is no clear good guy or bad guy. Although viewers will likely find themselves siding with Taylor as the main character, everyone in the film is looking out for himself and just trying to survive.

This movie is definitely most appealing to those who enjoy learning about history. In addition it offers a substantial amount of action that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The gore and language can be overwhelming for those who aren’t used to it. The plot is unconventional and easy to get lost in which can be hard to deal with when the film runs for 120 minutes. Ultimately, “Platoon” is a memorable movie and anything but boring.