Stone also examines the more personal battles going on within this specific platoon. There's a tug of war between the two sergeants leading this group of soldiers. There's also drug use, problems between the new recruits and the guys that are already there, and racial tension that threatens to boil over at times. It's careful in showing the many different aspects of the military life witnessed by the soldiers of that era. There is also tension between those drafted into the Vietnam War and those who had chosen to be there.
The draft was still around in America during the Vietnam war, so young men had no choice but to serve if chosen. But there were others who enlisted, anxious to fight in a far-off war. Stone effectively shows this contrast in Platoon. Some of soldiers we meet are scared out of their minds; some are on the verge of breaking down, and others just want to get out there and kill something. You have to have a deep cast to adequately represent the many different types of individuals involved. From those who just want to go home to soldiers with a warrior's mentality, it's all shown here.
We all know that wars will not only kill people, but they can also destroy lives and damage souls. Platoon takes time to show us why some of those things might happen by creating a sense of realism to the film. Nothing is glorified here, but there are many questions raised about the morality of some of its players and the war itself are. Platoon paints a picture of good vs. evil while being in a world that's filled with shades of gray. If you want to watch a film that has plenty of meaning to go along with great acting, writing and directing, look no further than this award winning epic.
Score: 4/5
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