Opened: December 19, 1986

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Keith David, Forest Whitaker, Francesco Quinn, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, Reggie Johnson, Mark Moses, Corey Glover, Johnny Depp, Chris Pedersen, Bob Orwig, Corkey Ford, David Neidorf, Richard Edson, Tony Todd, Dale Dye & Paul Sánchez

An outstanding look at the way the Vietnam War affected the soldiers fighting in it, Oliver Stone’s Platoon shows strength on making the enemy those on your own side.

Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a new volunteer joining the fight in Vietnam. He quickly notices the tension between Platoon Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger) and his squad leader Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe).

The cinematography during the battle scenes is breathtaking due to the confusion it creates for the soldiers and the audience. Berenger and Dafoe are notably strong in their roles but seeing the growth of Sheen’s Chris from naïve newbie to jaded fighter grounds the story.

Morality is questioned a lot throughout the film both in terms of the war but also in the decisions the soldiers are making amongst themselves.

Final say: Brilliantly captures a different side of war. ★★★★★