ViewGuide

Created Apr 06, 2012 09:50PM PST • Edited Apr 06, 2012 09:50PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Michael J Fox and Sean Penn star in this movie about some serious ethics and moral violations that came up during Vietnam. In this case, kidnapping, rape and murder followed by a cover up and a lot of post action drama. What’s the young and naive Fox supposed to do when surrounded by this callous behavior from is platoon mates? The viewpoints tug both ways as the brutality of the attacks from the VC tempt you to be callous also. Could you rise above it all and do the right thing, all the time among buddies dying all around you – not knowing who is VC and who isn’t? Casualties is a bit over-acted and cheesy at times, but it is an interesting story with applicable drama, so definitely worth a view.

4. Acting

   OK 2.5

   Penn and Fox were a great Ying and Yang. Penn comes across as older, innately deviant, almost evil; The Bronx accent worked well with this. Fox on the other hand is convincing as a younger, still untainted solder; tormented by what is going on. John C Reilly also makes a decent showing as the more meathead style soldier, and Don Harvey was a very good fit as a psychotic corporal. Last but not least is a short stint from Dale Darvey who is also great as the Army-first captain.

5. Male Stars OK 2.5

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    Barely OK 2.0

    The filming, including the special effects and music were B-movie quality, and some of the acting was over-done, most notably some death scenes, which reminded me of acting in high school.

11. Direction Barely OK 2.0

12. Play Barely OK 2.0

13. Music Barely OK 2.0

14. Visuals Barely OK 2.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 2.8

17. Sex Erotic 2.8

18. Violence Brutal 2.8

19. Rudeness Profane 2.8

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.3

23. Biological Glib 1.3

24. Physical Glib 1.3