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Apocalypse Now Redux A completely restored version of the 1979 release, with 53 minutes of additional footage, under the supervision of director Francis Ford Coppola and editor Walter Murch. Starring Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall... View more > Reviews SummaryPlease Note: Reader Reviews are submitted by the readers of The BigScreen Cinema Guide and represent their own personal opinions regarding this movie, and do not represent the views of The BigScreen Cinema Guide, or any of its associated entities. May 18, 2006
Apocalypse Now is at once a masterpiece of filmmaking, an opera where war is set to music, an unflinching look at the insanity of war, and at times, an incomprehensible mess. For whatever reason, it has taken me this long to see the movie, after several attempts in the past to do so. After having seen it, I know that it's going to stick with me for quite some time, and I would be interested in seeing it again only to absorb what I probably missed the first time around. Up until the final act, where we actually meet the mysterious Colonel Kurtz, the movie is incredible. It weaves the senselessness of war, the journey of one man to his destination, and American culture of the time into a compelling masterpiece that makes other movies simply pale in comparison. The most powerful scenes happen with Robert Duvall's Lt. Col. Kilgore and the experiences of the boat crew as they travel up the river. The famous helicopter attack scene using Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries" is incredible to watch and hear. It is at once beautiful and sad at the same time. The sampan scene is shocking because there is little to prepare you for what happens or even why it happened. The two army bases the boat crew encounters in its trip up the river demonstrate the absurdity of the situation that is war. In the middle of a war-torn country, Playboy bunnies are flown in for a USO show, and a bridge is under constant new leadership as the Americans and Viet Cong battle for control. The final act is where the movie falls into the category of incomprehensible mess. It is precipitated by a stop at a French plantation and quite a bit of exposition about the history of Viet Nam and the surrounding countries, and all the nations that have tried to occupy them in the past. I kept wishing for subtitles because some of the dialog was hard to hear, and much of it was in French, so you weren't sure if you just didn't understand what was said, or if you were never meant to understand it because it was spoken in a foreign language. Once Kurtz is found, things get really messy. Lots of shadows, lots of mumbling, and the frenetic ramblings of Dennis Hopper as a photojournalist who's been sampling the local vegetation a little too much. I haven't seen the theatrical version of the movie to know if the ending scene between Kurtz and Capt. Willard was different, but it was somewhat unsatisfactory. If you've never seen "Apocalypse Now" I highly recommend that you do so. As far as which version to see, you'll have to decide for yourself by reading a few other reviews. I would tend to say that the original might be the better choice, and then perhaps the Redux for a second viewing. Looking for more opinions?Check out our Featured Movie Reviews for Apocalypse Now Redux. |
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