Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen and Forest Whitaker
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors that achieved fame several years ago are as celebrated as Willem Dafoe. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Dafoe has made memorable movies. Whether it’s traumatized Vietnam soldiers, lighthouse keepers or political leaders, Dafoe has played countless strong characters. Arguably, Dafoe’s strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment towards craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Dafoe has always left a bold impression. Through his capabilities to portray characters that are intriguing, Dafoe has built a legacy that’s lasting. An actor with powerful commitment to his craft, Dafoe has become a believe icon in entertainment. Throughout his enduring career, Dafoe has made many strong movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Dafoe and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Platoon” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1986, Oliver Stone’s movie has stood a test of time as a war classic. Packed with stunning production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest war movies ever made. At the centre of if all is an extraordinary performance by Willem Dafoe, who embodies a troubled soldier experiencing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Platoon” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most war movies, it tackles powerful themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing war masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “Platoon” is a commemorated war movie worth seeing.
Set in 1980’s Vietnam, “Platoon” tells the story of a platoon facing issues which don’t go away soon. Charlie Sheen plays Chris Taylor, a bold war veteran seeking to participate in a warfare disaster. Chris has often had passion for doing his job participating in wars that cause painful destruction. However, Chris’s hopes of being a soldier are threatened when he discovers grim realities of warfare disaster. Assisted by a new companion Elias Grodin (Willem Dafoe), Chris seeks to participate in warfare causing sorrow. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Chris begins to wonder whether it’s possible to overcome warfare disaster. Faced with a tense dilemma, Chris questions whether he can ever survive a frightening war that causes terrifying trauma.
Oliver Stone has always been fascinated with themes of warfare. A strong filmmaker, Stone has often made captivating movies about war causing disaster. His award-winning film “Born on the Fourth July” offered a strong portrait of troubled veterans experiencing injuries which terrify. With “Platoon”, however, Stone crafted his first Vietnam war film. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the struggles endured by soldiers in American history but he pulled it off effectively. Using stunning cinematography, Stone demonstrates a solider embarking upon a journey to fight catastrophe. Stone expertly uses montages capturing a soldier embarking on a journey to face adversities. For instance, montages enhance the training scene. During this unforgettable scene, Chris is introduced to his war squadron facing tension. Through bold montages, Stone creates a portrait of war that is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” demonstrated, montages enhance comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Stone captures tensions which troubled soldiers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Platoon” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Stone expertly uses sound design to capture a war that causes lives to decline. Throughout the movie, diegetic sounds play a pivotal role showcasing warfare catastrophe. For instance, the diegetic sounds enhance the death scene. During this heartbreaking scene, sergeant Elias is shot to death in warfare that causes grim tragedy. Through diegetic sounds, Stone creates a portrait of warfare audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. Georges Delerue’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that soldiers bear in warfare. Through phenomenal set design, Stone conveys soldiers whose lives decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Platoon” is a war movie which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture soldiers haunted by painful incidences of warfare. For instance, the flashbacks enhance the nightmare scene. During this intense scene, Elias is haunted by nightmares of warfare that cause tragedies. Through stunning flashbacks, Stone creates a portrait of war that’s compelling. Flashbacks are complex techniques to use in movies. As Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient” did suggest clearly, flashbacks enhance period dramas. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” did suggest that flashbacks enhance adaptations of legendary feminist books. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Stone captures the lives of soldiers experiencing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates phenomenal performances.
Willem Dafoe delivers one of his finest career performances as Elias. Dafoe first achieved appreciations for playing psychotic killers in commemorated comic book movies. With “Platoon”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a troubled war solider which faces catastrophe but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Dafoe has commonly excelled at playing emotional heroes that are under pressure, and “Platoon” demonstrated his strength as a commemorated actor. Using mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a troubled soldier participating in frightening war causing tension. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Willem Dafoe, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Charlie Sheen is captivating, capturing bravery of a troubled soldier that faces mean obstacles in routine. Forest Whitaker is fantastic, bringing fervour to a troubled soldier thar is haunted by traumatic warfare disaster. Lastly, Keith David merits appreciation. As a troubled Vietnam war soldier, he brings heartfelt emotion toward the movie.
Finally, “Platoon” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing soldiers whose grim problems don’t go away soon. Unlike most war movies, the film tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. The movie discusses strong themes including identity, mental health and trauma that would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be entirely familiar with the Vietnam war to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about trauma that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Platoon” is one of those rare war films which everyone would adore.
Fans of Willem Dafoe would definitely enjoy “Platoon” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating war classic, it honours an actor that has created a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about troubled soldiers participating in Vietnam warfare, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has created a successful career through his abilities to portray compelling characters with rare qualities in memorable movies about which audiences deeply care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 