Platoon (Re-Issue)
OVERALL:
ASPECT RATIO(S)
16x9 Widescreen (1.85:1)
SOUND MIX
FEATURES
STUDIO
RECOMMENDATION
Dolby Digital 5.1
- Theatrical Trailer
MGM
Buy it!
GRADING SCALE
Film 
Features 
Audio 
Video
The violence of the film gains momentum as the movie moves along. The real chaos starts when the troops enter a village. This is where the graphic scenes begin to take place, in which you find an assassination of a civilian.
Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger) represents everything that is evil and stubborn about a soldier in Vietnam. His actions in the film forces you to hate his character and what he stands for. Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) represents everything that is good and honorable about a soldier in Vietnam. It�s enjoyable to watch these 2 clash during the picture.
As terrible and horrific Vietnam was, no movie could possibly depict 100% the way it went, but Oliver Stone comes very close in his interpretation. He based the events on his actual combat duty. "Platoon" is one of the most graphic war films of all-time. And it's also one of the best.
Features
This version is a re-issue from MGM, who released the original version (now out of print) a couple of years ago. Gone are the commentary tracks and the behind-the-scenes featurette. A real bummer. You'll be happy to know that what it loses in features, it gains in video. Read on...
Audio
This is the same 5.1 remix that the OOP version has. Which means this version sounds great as well. Lots of noises are heard in this film, and the channels dish out every last one of them. The battle scenes seem that much more realistic when you have your sub blasting out every last bomb and gunshot.
Video
Sure, this version loses the key features, but it has one thing over the original release: a 16x9 transfer. This film looks great. The color is strong, with lots of different shades of greens and blacks. There's only minor specks on the print. A treat for the eyes. Too bad MGM doesn't do this to all of their dvd releases.
Overall
If you're into features, you may want to hold out on this dvd. You're only chance of getting the OOP version is to look on ebay. If you're like me and would rather have great audio and video, then this is the version for you. Plus, that $20 retail tag is hard to resist.