Posted: 11/19/2005 7:14:29 PM EDT
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For some reason I thought it was gonna have a lefty political message. It really didn't. A couple sentences about fighting for oil. Which I think is ok, because back in 1991 there was alot of that type of talk going around. I think the movie was ok. Not great and not bad. A former Marine, veteran, or someone who likes military movies will probably appreciate it more because of all the "Hurry up and wait" stuff we remember so well. Also some funny lines from recruit training, etc. It mostly just showed a slice of the life of a grunt (Soldier or Marine). "Welcome to the suck", was the line said throughout the movie. I did not see a grand plot for the movie, mostly just an accounting of events with some backstories mixed in. One of the main backstories is about Suzie messing around with Jodi, which as I remember is the rule rather than the exception. Which just makes "welcome to the suck" a bit more sucky. There is a central message to the movie. I don't think I want to post it here, because it might wreck it for folks who have not seen it. |
| I do not find your review to be an apposite and felicitous counterpart of my own experience. Hauntingly beautiful for its rich Kafkaesque imagery and intricate subplot digressions, Jarhead is at once an existential treatise on the vicissitudes of combat juxtaposed against the vainglorious promises of self before the fact. In this sense, Jarhead tugs at the cerebral as well as the visceral, serving as both sad commentary on the inhumanity of all war and a meditation on lost naivete and a lost sense of immortality. While there is certainly not the visual stun of the village scene in Platoon or the dark colloquy of Kurtz and Willard in Apocalypse Now, Jarhead still manages to capture the singularly unique phenomenology of personal response to the dangers and tedium of ground warfare. I suggest that you revisit the film, perhaps this time with Raisinets and a Dr. Pepper, as such combination works wonders for projecting one into the moment, whereby you exit the theater as I did, every bit the equal of someone who has actually been there and done that. |
I never served in the military, so your military experiences notwithstanding, I found myself pretty much in sync with your review. I'd feel better about it if I hadn't paid full price, but in a fit of boredom last night I toldthe wife "I'm going to the movies," and I was in the theater. It was quite average, nothing especially original when compared with the usual suspects of "recruit to warrior" movies. I'm sure I'd watch it again if it's on cable, but sure as heck wouldn't buy the DVD. I can understand where some who served may not like it, but at the end of it all, it's just one guy's perspective. I think what irritates most of us (in seeing a movie like "Jarhead") is knowing that Hollywood loves making stories of anyone in our military who can be described as "disgruntled," whereas a story of a young Marine (soldier, sailor, airman) who has a positive message about his military experience would never make it into production. |
College boy? Nice job, BTW. |
big.... words..... |
Sprite and Goobers and it was still crap. |
 Can I have a review in ENGLISH
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DUAAAaaahh? Ummmm, the answer is 'Blue!' No? Damn, I gotta re read it again, my brain hurts... Whats a 'Kafkaesque'? |
Where did you copy and paste that from? 
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Franz Kafka. Kaf·ka·esque (käfk-sk) ADJECTIVE: 1. Of or relating to Franz Kafka or his writings. 2. Marked by surreal distortion and often a sense of impending danger: "Kafkaesque fantasies of the impassive interrogation, the false trial, the confiscated passport . . . haunt his innocence" (New Yorker). |
SO, uh, did you like it or not? |
Se hable espanol? it is enlgish, get a dictionary. Very nice to find such a eloquent, concise, and accurate review of the movie instead of another myopic bash on the movie here. When I went to see the movie, I was seriously expecting lots of anti-military propoganda because of all the unwarranted bashing going on around here. |
Mr. Wittgenstein... I understand from previous postings you did two tours in Vietnam with Marine rifle companies. Just curious what years and what units?...officer or enlisted? up North or down south?...and as a former Marine, all plattitudes aside, what did you really think of the move? I spent 25 years of my life in this outfit. My 16 year old son, who would have already enlisted if he was able, wants to go see this and the last thing I want him to see is some cockeyed story issued by a dirtbag with an ax to grind... SF/Dan |
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Franz Kafka. Kaf·ka·esque (käfk-sk) ADJECTIVE: 1. Of or relating to Franz Kafka or his writings. 2. Marked by surreal distortion and often a sense of impending danger: "Kafkaesque fantasies of the impassive interrogation, the false trial, the confiscated passport . . . haunt his innocence" (New Yorker). Well, at least I can't say I didn't learn nothing.  |
 Nicely done. |
65-66 1/9; 67-68 3/4. Enlisted; I Corps (where else?); haven't been in a movie theater in 35 years, but haven't seen a war movie yet that has any more truth than a Roadrunner cartoon. |
That wizzing sound you heard was a sarcastic joke passing by My reading comprehension is exceptional. |
The movie did show the central character seemingly disillusioned with his time in the Corps. The storyline did not seem to blame it on the Marine Corps specifically, but on him being extremely homesick amplified by the idea that his girlfriend was screwing around on him and being miles away there was nothing he could do about it. He let the unknowing of it mess with his head. I would not say the movie was anti war or anti Marine Corps. It just showed some of the most boring parts of serving as a grunt. |
Thanks. I had two uncles in Vietnam that influenced my decision to join the Marines. When I came in back in '76 most of my nco's and up were all veterans of those days. Although I never served there, a large part of my youth and many of my experiences in the Marines were influenced by those who did. Semper Fi Marine. Dan |