Show Gore Cast Highlight Newest War Film By Candice Crowley Contributing Writer Imagine the scene Ocean waves rolling against the sand children taking taking taking tak tak- tak- tak ing baths with their mothers in the marsh and a gentle breeze rustling the island Sounds pretty peaceful right This was the tranquil island of Guadalcanal until First Sergeant Welsh and the for C-for Charlie army unit moved in The Thin Red Line is a war flick based on the World War II battle at Guadalcanal Just as the war was underway US U.S. Troops were called to the Solomon islands to stop the advance of the Japanese through the Pacific A good portion of this film is devoted to an effort by troops to surround surround surround sur sur- sur- sur round a hill and overtake a Japanese fort However these soldiers are not just interested in mutating countless bodies they face psychological battles as well The only thing that keeps this film going is an occasional deep thought by one of the soldiers As the story develops conflict arises aris aris- es between tough-nosed tough Lieutenant Colonel Tall Nick Nolte Nolle and Captain James Staros Elias Koteas who struggles with sending young men to their graves Nolte's Nolle's colorful language and Koteas's willed good-willed behavior gives the audience something to concentrate concentrate concentrate con con- on besides the gory death l N W i z 4 1 za t z zi 1 i J W y J Az A- A z 4 ow fW c c. c I f Photo courtesy of Merie W. W Wallace Witt Jim Caviezel v zel i spends time with with a Melanesian n youngster r I scenes The Thin Red Line has an star all-star cast including box office big nam names s such as Woody Harrelson Sergeant I Keck John Cusack Captain Gaff 1 George Clooney Captain Bosche Sean Penn First Sergeant Welsh and John Dont Don't visit the theater just to sit back and watch three hours of these familiar faces Most of these characters have minor parts leaving more screen time to newcomers such as Adrien Brody Corporal Fife and Jim Caviezel Private Witt Caviezel steals the show with his performance as the soft soft hearted hearted Private Witt who is more interested in helping the dying enemies than finish finish- ing them off Private Witt had gone AWOL many times and finally decided decided decided ed that his place in life is the for C-for Charlie company He often questions why war exists and is finally placed opposite the enemy facing a loaded gun Filmed off the coast of Sydney Australia this movie has beautiful settings settings settings set set- tings and great cinematography If you are excited by the by-the the idea of a philosophical ical war movie accompanied by an occasional blood and guts scene then you should see The Thin Red Line On the other hand if you are used to the i common action packed war-thriller war full fun of sub-plots sub and char characterization teri you might want ant to sit this one out 1 1 I |