[Yardstick]

Yes it's a true story, but it's a true story with cardboardy characters and silly looking special effects. The two movies just don't compare in terms of quality.

[506trooper]

You think so?

Having been in that type of situation, I have to say the special effects took me back to a place I didn't want to go, so I thought they were pretty good. I could smell the cordite and hear the screams.

Hollywood has a tendency to under-develop characters in many instances, or to make them larger than life to emphasize a point, so I won't agree or disagree on that point.

The first half of Full Metal Jacket was as good a military movie as I have ever seen, but the second half sucked so bad, the overall rating gets no more than a C.

[Gunrunner2]

I'd not confuse/equate special effects with quality.

The story is true, the characters real, the emotions draining.

Besides, I think the special effects were rather good. For example, I've seen close air support air strikes up close and it is something to behold, and I have called in those air strikes (ground Forward Air Controller, Gulf War I), and I tell you the greatest fear was what happened in that battle. Made me shiver.

Just me talking. I'm no trendy Hollywood movie reviewer. . .just a guy that knows what he likes.

Cheers.