Apocalypse Now Redux
Rating = B+
The original had a dull ending,
from the time the boat finished its trip up river and finds the Kurtz (Brando)
camp, not to mention being visually too dark. Now a long scene at a French
plantation has been added just before: this scene has some value by noting
that the French government was no more dedicated to winning its Indochina war
than the U.S. government and army was, and what is needed is dedicated,
never-say-die people such as the French plantation owners and Kurtz (and of
course the North Vietnamese) to defeat an enemy; however, this scene long scene
is also dull, unnecessary, and has out of place music. There is also a scene I
don't remember for the original involving the Playboy Bunnies which is long,
fairly dull and unnecessary. Thus, new movie has substantially more dull parts
than the original. Nonetheless, the original scenes of Martin Sheen being
picked up at his hotel and briefed on his mission and the long boat trip up
river (including the classic helicopter attack on the village) remain amazing.
It was especially wonderful to be able to see the movie again on the big
screen. Parts of this movie are an A+ and parts are a C+; overall I think it
is a B, but promote it to a B+ in recognition of the nobility of the director's
effort.
[2009-09-01]