visually arresting and politically radicalizing, this oliver stone flick predictably pulls no punches and the marriage with tom cruise sure is an interesting and committed one.

it’s also fulfilling.

the pipeline from propagandized teen to human capital fodder in a criminal, genocidal war is depicted with staunch criticism and filmmaking flair. as is the second half procession from drunken, disregarded vet to imperialist sex tourist.

it just makes the end-result of being a political campaign’s anti-war prop less rewarding and more infuriating, which is entirely the point of the film.

pitch-perfect team-up of scribe and chair.