Campo Minado

If you go into this expecting war action, you'll be severely disappointed. Exhibit A: the low ratings of some reviewers here.

This isn't a war movie or an action movie. It's the story of a man facing his inner demons in the context of war. I think the directors did a phenomenal job creating a true thriller with literally little action. Armie Hammer's performance was superb; I only started watching the movie because Armie has the kind of looks that God took extra time creating, but as the movie progressed I forgot about the actor and saw only the character. Two thumbs up!

I highly recommend this title, having withheld 10 stars only because the Berber got on my nerves at times and I found the twist at the end irritating.

The first (almost) half is taut and thrilling, with unexpected twists and a superb pace, the rest of it - not so much. It's almost as if different writers contributed to the separate halves of the movie. The psychological tension it strives for is burdened by cliché domestic drama; the romantic angle is a drag and slacks the movie. The semi-mystical, surreal elements and wide, solitary shots of desert expanses were gripping.

P.S. The protagonist was very good-looking and makes for a very convincing US Marine soldier, so it makes the boring parts tolerable.

Intensely Irritating. When the Tension in a Nail-Biting Thriller becomes Intolerably Corny, the Intention is Lost and the Frustrating Factor Fills in.

The Side Character of Tommy (Tom Cullen) begins the Annoying Dialog and Behavior even before the Movie has a Chance to Gain some Interest and Momentum. It won't be the Last Thing that gets on the Nerves (and not in a good way).

Everything Starts to become Bothersome. The Aloof, Inattentive Voice on the Radio from Headquarters, the Indigenous Goof that Starts the "Theme" or "Message" of the Movie. You've Gotta "Move On".

Most Annoying of All is the Dripping with Clichés Flashbacks, Especially the Father, but also the Wife. The Third Act is Full of Itself and it just goes On and On to the Breaking Point of Audience Acceptance.

Overall, the Film is too Heavy Handed, Corny, and Unending. It also is Bound to the Greatest of Movie Missteps. A Movie Must Move. This one is so Weighted with its own Heaviness that it Ain't Going Anywhere. Be Prepared to be Stuck in the Sand with Bad Writing and Over the Top Sentimentality.

Note...For what it's worth, the Movie Stars Armie Hammer.

This was the first episode of a late 1980s anthology series called Vietnam War Stories. The episode was titled "The Mine." I mean this is totally lifted. And apparently not credited to the original writer.

Critics like always slamming good films just cuz they take a different approach than what they wanted.

The films revolves around this marine who is stuck in a land mine and while there is not much to do on that situation, the film follows along with the metaphor of "Man stuck on his own path" and he needs to learn to move on.

I found it interesting and this becomes a battle of endurance of the mind as it is of the body.

Great performance from Armie Hammer!!