Somehow this film, even though it is based on a true story that seems fascinating at first glance, does not exude fascination. Chickie (Zac Efron) stumbles through the Vietnam War in search of his old neighbours and friends, learning about the horrors and seriousness of war that he never realised in the US. His big goal in doing so is to bring everyone a beer, the film's goal to be a war film telling a civilian's view of the Vietnam War. At first glance, both plans seem to offer potential for an exciting story and perspective. However, both plans fail miserably. Chickie is able to hand out some beers, but meanwhile realises that he has quite the wrong picture of the US war effort and cannot reach all his friends, the film fails to tell its story. So while it does show the change in attitude of the main character, who had a positive attitude towards the war, through his experiences in war-torn Vietnam, it feels like much that has already been seen, despite a new perspective. This does not make the images of war any less horrific, even though there are far more impressive depictions of the horrors of war in other films, but the view of a civilian does not open up any new perspectives on war in this film either.
The film, the portrayal and the atmosphere couldn't really reach me, and in the end the greatest beer delivery is still a beer delivery. You can certainly get the film down like a warm beer, but there are many better alternatives.
Review by PhilharmonieBlockedParent2022-11-30T22:07:38Z— updated 2024-03-07T10:37:18Z
Somehow this film, even though it is based on a true story that seems fascinating at first glance, does not exude fascination. Chickie (Zac Efron) stumbles through the Vietnam War in search of his old neighbours and friends, learning about the horrors and seriousness of war that he never realised in the US. His big goal in doing so is to bring everyone a beer, the film's goal to be a war film telling a civilian's view of the Vietnam War. At first glance, both plans seem to offer potential for an exciting story and perspective. However, both plans fail miserably. Chickie is able to hand out some beers, but meanwhile realises that he has quite the wrong picture of the US war effort and cannot reach all his friends, the film fails to tell its story. So while it does show the change in attitude of the main character, who had a positive attitude towards the war, through his experiences in war-torn Vietnam, it feels like much that has already been seen, despite a new perspective. This does not make the images of war any less horrific, even though there are far more impressive depictions of the horrors of war in other films, but the view of a civilian does not open up any new perspectives on war in this film either.
The film, the portrayal and the atmosphere couldn't really reach me, and in the end the greatest beer delivery is still a beer delivery. You can certainly get the film down like a warm beer, but there are many better alternatives.