Rating summary
| Movie |  | 2.0 |
| Video | | 2.0 |
| Audio |  | 3.5 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall | | 2.0 |
Platoon Leader Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 19, 2017
While cinematic inspections of the Vietnam War were already in place by the time “Platoon Leader” was released in 1988, it’s the awards-sweeping
success of 1986’s “Platoon” that’s truly the reason why the movie came to be. Hungry for their own take on wartime misery and the death of
innocence, Cannon Films brings an adaptation of James R. McDonough’s memoir to the screen, but they go about it in a distinctly Cannon Films
fashion. Instead of hiring a thoughtful person for the job, they bring in Aaron Norris, a man who’s already had his way with Vietnam, helming
“Missing in Action III,” which starred his brother, Chuck. Instead of bringing on a capable star, they hire “American Ninja” hero, Michael Dudikoff, who
seems like a nice guy, but can’t quite reach imagined dramatic heights with this deathly dull actioner.
Arriving in Vietnam to take part in the war, Lieutenant Knight (Michael Dudikoff) is inexperienced in the ways of the deep jungle, handed a platoon
that doesn’t respect him, entering a landscape where death is around every corner. Taking his hits and witnessing the horrors of combat, Knight’s
leadership begins to take shape, getting into the crowded headspace of his men, who suffer from guilt and rage, with some turning to drugs to quiet
their screaming souls.
Dudikoff doesn’t have the range for this type of role, but the flatness of “Platoon Leader” is mostly due to Norris’s inability to make a proper film out
of McDonough’s book. The effort resembles a television pilot, playing up simple characterizations as Knight greets his men, who are all assigned some
type of trauma to confront, giving supporting actors a chance to be seen in the midst of all the blandness. Action is largely born from chaos, with
multiple scenes featuring soldiers shooting blindly into trees. While this may accurately depict the mayhem of the Vietnam War conflict, it gets pretty
stale in “Platoon Leader,” which is lacking a sense of movement and expanse, watching Norris basically give up trying to differentiate one corner of
the jungle from the other.
Platoon Leader Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is taken from what appears to be a very old scan of "Platoon Leader." While visual
competence isn't expected from a low-budget production like this, the viewing experience is borderline destroyed by inky-to-solid blacks, finding
delineation erased whenever the action enters the night. There a few shots where faces are completely missing from the frame, which doesn't appear
to be an artistic choice. When blasted with sunlight, the Blu-ray fares a little better, but detail isn't there, with softness dominating. Colors are also a
bit bloodless, but primaries remain, best with greenery as the characters march around the jungle, and uniforms retain their intended hues. Skintones
run flat. Source is acceptable, without any significant displays of damage.
Platoon Leader Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track isn't remarkable, merely functional, leading with slightly softer dialogue exchanges that require some volume boost to enjoy.
Sound recording isn't a major production achievement, but voices and emphasis manage to survive. Scoring is limp but appreciable, adding dull synth
to the action. Atmospherics aren't expansive, but they carry mood, bringing out the feel of jungle activity, waterfall encounters, and military chaos.
Platoon Leader Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- A Theatrical Trailer (1:36, HD) is included.
Platoon Leader Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
There's repetition to "Platoon Leader," which finds Knight taking a beating while working through enemy territory, trying to maintain some sense of
control. Norris can only hold on for dear life, laboring to make at least some of this exciting, but working without a budget that permits more dynamic
combat sequences. He can't quite overcome the one-dimensionality of it all, including his handling of interpersonal relationships, which ooze with a
familiar cartoon masculinity, quickly securing predictable conflicts. Dudikoff isn't lost, he's just not right for the part, sweating to seem more mature
than he looks, while he's often overwhelmed by other actors who have a better idea what they're doing. Perhaps for Vietnam War students, especially
those curious about the flood of titles that arrived after "Platoon" hit it big, "Platoon Leader" might offer some interesting limitations. However, to sit
through it is a challenge.
