Most different than other “anti-war” war films, but also plays on a very thin line between philosophical meanderings versus armchair intellectualism. One of those rare films where you love it in pockets but the combined package is a mess.
There are tons of things to love in this film. The setup and the execution of the ridge battle, which is the central action theme, is exhilarating. You see the signature tall grasses, which reminded me of Days of Heaven, and the messy attack and the human bickering while the camera stays low and almost never shows the Japanese formations as if you’re there along with the soldiers. Their anxiety, hopelessness, and fear comes through, anticipating a bullet from any direction. The shots are beautiful.
But then comes the narration and never leaves. The dialogues of the narration in particular feels like those of an edgy teenager who just read Sartre. I’m sorry but no soldier like Witt who is so enamored with nature while standing in the thick of enemy fire is going to last this long in battle. It felt as if Malick had transferred his soul into Witt without any consideration for its effect on the rest of the film. A very personal choice, which unfortunately pulls down the otherwise impactful film. I can’t help but compare it with Paths of Glory where Kubrick focuses on telling human stories of the war in a much more impactful way.
I have a fear that I’m not going to love Malick as much as everyone else.