Apocalypse Now Redux (2001)

Apocalypse Now Redux

• There’s nothing quite like an extended version of a Coppola classic. Yes, I could’ve watched the theatrical version, but who wants to do that when you could watch the extended cut with 49 extra minutes of Coppola creativity? It’s one of the best war movies I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It was interesting watching this the day after I watched ‘Platoon’. You can see how this film (or I guess the theatrical version) could’ve had an impact on Oliver Stone’s masterpiece. Both films also star one of the Sheen boys, and both have character narration throughout the movie. It’s kind of a new unofficial duology for me. But anyways, this movie was absolutely fantastic. The story was complex, exciting, detailed, and very well written. Following Willard and his escapades in trying to find Kurtz was absolutely awesome. There were so many times where I got chills just from what was going on around the characters. The scenery was beautiful but also full of explosions, smoke, fire, and dead bodies. The contrast was fabulous, and the smell of napalm in the morning is refreshing. Each character is unique, and impactful in their own way. I especially loved Willard, Chef, Kilgore, and Clean. There were times where you felt like one of the boys, and then you immediately got thrown into some kind of despair and your heart went out to them. Everyone was so well written, and the performances were some of the best you’ll see in any war movie. Brando, Sheen, and Duvall specifically. The action sequences were great, but the movie was also special because of how it balances the fighting and dialogue. It’s not like ‘Platoon’, where the action outweighs the dialogue. This movie has so many scenes where you get pulled in by the words being put out, and the impact they have on the people and plot. Finally, the score was hauntingly gorgeous, in the best way possible. Overall, this movie is just about perfect in every sense, and my only, and very tiny, complaint is that the movie was really long. There were a couple scenes where I maybe got the smallest bit bored, but definitely not boring enough to where I disliked it. It’s easily one of Coppola’s best, and I’d recommend it to all war/drama fans. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go watch it now!