Film Review: Apocalypse Now
Captain Willard, is sent on a secret mission to terminate a renegade colonel in the cambodian jungle, who now declares himself as a god among the tribe that follows him.
I finally got around to watching this film and what I walk away with after viewing it is Wow! is what I think while watching this film just wow. Apocalypse Now was released in 1979, before digital effects, before the advanced technology we have today. However while watching this film, I felt like one of the realest films I've ever seen, Martin Sheen plays captain Willard, the weathered protagonist of the film, at least the closest the film has to one, Martin sheen plays the role near to perfection, showing what the horrors of war. Especially the horrors of the Vietnam will do to a man.
The Majority of the films takes place on a boat, with a small crow, escorting Captain Willard up the vietnamese river into the heart of the jungle of cambodia, this slow build, shows many voice over scenes of Captain Willard, speaking of Walter Kurtz, (played by Marlon Brando), reading his military classifieds, and trying to determine what drove him to his state, as they travel along the jungle river, the slow build of tension comes into play almost effortlessly, the farther they go the worse it gets, like a literal descent into madness, and the build up of fear is evident, in the crew which translate to the audience. they captures the scope of the film masterfully, and plays out like a horror film that in many ways it is.
Despite the gloomy theme of this film, It is full of beautiful scenery, enhanced by excellent cinematography, weather it be an overview of a set of helicopters flying over a sunset or a intense action sequence, this film is beautiful shot, and everything feel so authentic and believable. apparently the production of the film was nearly as trouble as the theme of the movie so to come out with such a magnificent product is an achievement of its own.
While the film's overall story is really somewhat small, but the scope and feel is very epic, drawing the viewer in, eager as well as dreading to see where it will take you, For those of you who haven't seen it, I won't give away the end, but I will say although Willard's character is flawed you are definitely rooting for him in the end, not so much to complete the mission, but so he doesn't succumb to the same fate of the wayward colonel who is by the way played excellently by Marlon Brando, the films climax has to be one of the most terrifying and psychologically intense scenes ever put into a film.
While this movie is probably not for everyone as it is dark, intense, and deals with issues, of madness and the horrors of war vary realistically it is one that most film lovers should love, one of the best made films I've ever seen, with superb direction from Francis Coppola (The Godfather Trilogy). phenomenal acting, a tight development script and breathtaking cinematography, Excellent!
5/5
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