"A day without blood is like a day without sunshine"

This week I continued my quest to finish the top 250 IMDB movies and decided I was in the mood for war themed movies. I decided to watch Platoon and Full Metal Jacket.

As I watched Platoon, I was definitely in awe of some of the acting, especially Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. They reminded me oftwo sides of a coin, the good and evil that we see in this world. Although both Sgt. Elias and Sgt. Barnes were fighting in the same Vietnam war, they both had different standards, morals and ethics they lived by. On the one side Willem Dafoe played a kind soul, one who understood why this war was taking place but still knew the meaning of what was right and wrong, even in the middle of a jungle in Vietnam. Tom Berenger on the other hand played a truly evil human being who felt everyone was expendable and had no regard to loyalty and one's place and rank in the army.

It was obvious that Sgt. Barnes was never going to take orders from anyone, the moment which showed his true colours was when he decided Sgt. Elias' horrible fate as soon as he pulled that trigger. The pessimist in me wanted to be proved wrong, to believe that everyone has some good instilled in them, this however was not the case when we see what gradually happened to Sgt. Elias.

The movie was absolutely brilliant, you truly felt like you were sitting in those bunkers in Vietnam with those brave soldiers, feeling their pain and fears of what was about to come! This movie is truly one of Oliver Stone's greatest work and the only thing I would have changed was casting Charlie Sheen. I felt that he truly gave his all but that this was not enough. In my opinion Charlie Sheen and Johnny Depp should have traded roles, and if we knew then what we know now I am sure Oliver Stone would have done just that!

I think it is clear that this movie left a lasting impression on me, so what about Full Metal Jacket? Well this movie was also brilliant, and although both movies are about the same war in Vietnam, they could not have been more different. Platoon shows the struggle these soldiers endured whilst being in Vietnam, it showed the slaughter or hundreds of men whilst Full Metal Jacket delved into the mind of one specific soldier, otherwise known as 'Joker' Davis.

I must admit that I was not familiar with this actor but I can completely understand why Stanley Kubrick cast Matthew Modine. I don't think he could have picked a better actor for the role. Same has to go to Vincent D'Onofrio whose brilliant depiction of 'Gomer Pyle' will be imprinted in my mind forever. When 'Gomer Pyle' goes off the deep end we almost go there with him, that evil blank stare will forever be one of the best moments in acting I have ever seen.

Although there were certain unforgettable moments in Full Metal Jacket I would have to say that I enjoyed Platoon more. I am sure others would disagree with me however I feel I should explain why. Platoon delves into the world of soldiers fighting in Vietnam and their personal struggles, although there were so many characters in that one movie I felt I knew each one personally and understood why they were there and why they were fighting this lost cause.

That one moment were we see Sgt. Elias on his knees fighting for his life right up until the end will forever be one of the best moments in movie history, one that I will never forget.  I completely understand why these movies are both in the IMDB top 250 and I can't wait to watch more from this list!

So if you haven't seen either of these movies, you really should make sure you do.