Tigerland Movie Review

Tigerland (2000)

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Written by: Ross Klavan & Michael McGruther
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Clifton Collins Jr., Tom Guiry, Shea Whigham, Michael Shannon, Cole Hauser, Tory Kittles
Rated: R
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Plot
A group of recruits go through Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana's infamous Tigerland, last stop before Vietnam for tens of thousands of young men in 1971.

Verdict
Private Bozz doesn't want to be at boot camp, drafted to fight in Vietnam. He also strives to protect his platoon, but what he sees as everyone's best interest differs from the brass. He's more than smart enough to be a good soldier, but too smart for the army. He thinks for himself when his platoon is trained to follow orders. This isn't anti-military, but it is against drafting soldiers. We see men that are a danger for the entire platoon and the need for soldiers over rides what's safe. Bozz proves to be a leader even if he doesn't want the position. It's the people that crave power that should make us wary.
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Review
It's army boot camp en route to Tigerland Louisiana, the last stop for soldiers headed to Vietnam. The first soldier we see is Bozz (Colin Farrell) as he's leaving the stockade. He's apparently spent most of his time there, disinterested in the military after having been drafted. He has a problem with authority which makes him a problem for the military. They don't want free thinkers.

Clifton Collins Jr., Colin Farrell play Miter, Bozz

While Bozz creates friction, he does care. Bozz gets a soldier discharged due to hardship. Bozz believes that some soldiers shouldn't be in the army, either due to obligation or recklessness. The military needs every body they can get for the war while teaching soldiers to be cruel, sadistic. That isn't Bozz. He's not someone that takes to following orders, and he can't understand the underlying mindset of being cruel. His sense of morals conflicts with the military. That means he's always in trouble, but the difference is that Bozz treats everyone like a human. His fellow soldier respect him even if they don't share his ideals. Bozz's counterpart is Wilson (Shea Whigham), a bigoted, hateful, and brash soldier that soon develops an extreme dislike for Bozz.

Nick Searcy, Colin Farrell play Captain Saunders, Bozz

Bozz is given the position of platoon guide. It's the best thing for him because he gets the job done, just in his own way. He gets yet another guy discharged, but he's not doing it to undermine the military. Some guys don't belong in the military and would have gotten someone injured during combat. Then there's Wilson, a danger to everyone because he's blood thirsty and eager for war.

This is shot handheld to make this feel more like a documentary. It makes it feel like we're there. The last week of boot camp is Tigerland, creating Vietnam stateside for training.

Matthew Davis, Colin Farrell play Paxton, Bozz

Bozz was drafted. This isn't his war, and he doesn't want to be in it. He's smart enough to do well, but also smart enough to know he has a losing hand and needs to get out. He plans to flee, but he can't leave his platoon behind and in danger because Wilson is back with a vengeance. He's a wildcard with his sites on Bozz. This is a guy Bozz was emphatic shouldn't be in the military. The captain wanted to handle it internally, and that means Wilson is still in and creating problems. Everyone knows Wilson is a problem, but they've been trained to not cause a disruption and keep their heads down. 

Full Metal Jacket looks at training versus reality and the duality of man. This looks at who thrives and survives in the military, as well as who is attracted to the military. This has similarities to The Human Condition, with a main character that tries to maintain humanity despite the opposition. Bozz is beneficial to the military even if he doesn't want to be there. While the military uses force to lead, Bozz earns respects and leads through kindness. Other's would have their spirit broken, but no consequence the military has can stifle Bozz's spirit.