Film Junk Poll: What is the Best Modern War Movie?
With The Hurt Locker winning Best Picture last weekend and Green Zone hitting theatres this weekend, I’ve been thinking about modern war movies and how there haven’t been a ton of noteworthy ones released in recent years. Keep in mind, I’m talking about movies that focus on post-Vietnam conflicts here, not modern movies about old wars. I guess part of the reason is that modern warfare is a touchy subject, but also, a lot of modern war movies often blur into political thriller territory. At any rate, I thought I’d put the question out there and see what you guys can come up with. Cast your vote in this week’s poll, and then feel free to list any other decent modern war movies you can think of in the comments below.
Comments (33)
I think Black Hawk Down was a very good movie for just showing modern combat and what a soldiers goes through in combat situation.
I thought Jarhead was also a fantastic war film with a really interesting theme as I think it looks at soldiers expectations for war (fighting the enemy, being heroic) vs. its ugly realities.
Posted by Matt on March 11th, 2010If anyone votes for The Hurt Locker, they are flat out stupid. The movie is so ridiculous when it comes to realism, and i honestly don’t know any war veterans in Iraq who didn’t hate the movie just for that.
Posted by Mr.asdsas on March 11th, 2010What kind of fucked up list is this? Behind Enemy Lines, The Kingdom, Rambo and The Hurt Locker? No, I don’t base my reaction on the shitty quality of these movies, but the shitty realism that they have. There is basically more imagination and fantasy gone into these movies, than realism.
Posted by faggot lord on March 11th, 2010But I guess I have to accept it, it’s just another one of your stupid, fucked up, nonsense lists, Sean. You not only forget to pick the most important movies, but you also put in movies that has nothing to do on the lists.
seriously, the comments list on filmjunk are going downhill fast. first all the ridiculous “avatar got cheated” outbursts and now these two insulting bozos.
anyway, i felt waltz with bashir is a bit above a movie belonging in the ‘war’ genre, if that makes sense, so i went for the incredibly entertaining and ulktimately touching three kings just over the hurt locker (phew, glad i’m not flat out stupid!). #3 to black hawk down, a cool if thematically simple thrill-ride. great list, tough to chose. haven’t seen no man’s land and rambo for a while, but they might as easily have been in there as well.
Posted by AlexG on March 11th, 2010Hey faggot lord aka Mr. asdsas, not everyone rates movies based on realism. However, you haven’t provided a single alternative to the choices on this list. I’d love to hear your suggestions of other great modern war films that actually are realistic, if such a thing does exist.
Posted by Sean on March 11th, 2010Black Hawk down for me. It has some weaknesses(unsafed M4, some Delta guys acting like a bunch of cowboys) but not many. The subject matter is perfect for the movie length.
What would make a really great movie is the story of that SEAL patrol and the rescue force that got killed in Afganistan few years back. Single survivor wrote a decent book about it. http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?113965-The-Sole-Survivor-Navy-Seal-Team-in-Afghanistan-WashPost
Oh and green zone looks terrible
Posted by Dim on March 11th, 2010I have only seen about 5 of those (Bashir is on my DVR, I just have not had a chance to watch it yet) since I’m not a huge war movie guy, but of the ones on the list I’d pick either Black Hawk or Hurt Locker as I liked them both.
I’m not overly concerned with true-to-life realism, because I have never been in a war and know very little about what really goes on. If it feels real within the world the director/writer has created and it does not pull me out, I am happy with that.
Posted by KeithTalent on March 11th, 2010Black Hawk Down was good, but Jarhead got my vote. It wasn’t just a war movie; it really delved into the mentality and warrior ethos that Marines have, unlike any other branch of American military service.
Posted by Crews on March 11th, 2010I think Jarhead is definitely the best movie on this list, haven’t seen Bashir though.
Posted by Henrik on March 11th, 2010Ha ha! For a second there I though Sean was going apeshit on somebody. “Hey faggot lord”….NICE!
Posted by Mrespony on March 11th, 2010Voted for Three Kings, although Black Hawk Down came in a close second. The Hurt Locker seems to have finally made movies about Iraq acceptable. I wonder why that is. I haven’t seen it yet, btw. It doesn’t seem to be as much about whether going to war was a good or bad idea, instead just telling a story taking place during the war. I’ll check it out soon.
Posted by Matt on March 11th, 2010Nice job with faggot lord, Sean.
How about…hmm…..HOTEL RWANDA maybe? You happy now Sean, or would you like some more suggestions?
Posted by faggot lord on March 11th, 2010I had actually considered it, but is that really a war movie?
Either way, keep ‘em coming… you’ll have to come up with 9 more if you want to top my “stupid, fucked up, nonsense” list.
Posted by Sean on March 11th, 2010@faggot lord
I ve been to the army for 2.5 years .. and actually i thought this was one of the most realistic war movies i ‘ve ever seen in terms of psychosynthesis development ..etc etc..
still a shitty list though sean .. where is Afghan Knights???
i voted for Rambo by the way..
Posted by Kyriacos on March 11th, 2010.. so many decapitations
Never heard of Afghan Knights, but I see that it has Michael Madsen in it which can’t be a good sign.
Posted by Sean on March 11th, 2010I voted for 3 Kings because I usually give more prestige to an older movie that really nailed down some of the ambiguity and confusion of war. 3K also falls more into the MASH/Catch-22 satire genre, but it felt realistic enough. Blackhawk Down and Hurt Locker kind of fall into a similar category by simply presenting the combat scenes for what they are and not really trying to make much of a political comment on it. Plus BHD is based on a true story so it has more resonance than something fictionalized. I would put BHD and Saving Private Ryan up at the top of the list for sheer awesome visceral battle scenes. Although BHD might be higher simply because the whole movie is the battle essentially and almost never stops or takes a break.
Posted by Maopheus on March 11th, 2010http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6srcb_afghan-knights-trailer_shortfilms
its pure awesomeness sean..
.. Conquer ..or DIE!
Posted by Kyriacos on March 11th, 2010The Thin Red Line
Posted by Me on March 12th, 2010I’d offer that all of Jarhead, Three Kings, The Hurt Locker and Generation Kill are fine examples of quality modern warfare films.
That trailer for Afghan Knights looks like totally direct to DVD Bullcrap.
Waltz with Bashir is a devastating film (particularly at the end which it leaves the shield-wall of animation behind)
There is an Israeli war film set entirely in the belly of a Tank called “LEBANON” (which I was surprised not to see in the final 5 BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM nominees this year) which is also pretty solid stuff.
Posted by Kurt on March 12th, 2010I personally like my war films to have some deeper meaning and thoughtfulness, especially because you’re dealing with something as destructive and terrible as war. So I went with Waltz with Bashir, slightly over Jarhead, as they were the only two great war movies on the list. Not that I don’t sometimes enjoy a movie like the Hurt Locker or Black Hawk Down, but they aren’t great movies, they are good action flicks.
Posted by Justice on March 12th, 2010Battle for Haditha, A Line in the Sand and Shooting Dogs are more examples.
Even though i disagree with you alot on this list, i think u do worse on the other lists than here.
Posted by faggot lord on March 12th, 2010But what i don’t get is why you don’t listen to our suggestions, and put the movies on the poll when we ask you too.
Once the poll is created, it can’t be changed unfortunately. If I could find a good poll plug-in that allowed options to be added on the fly, I might consider it, although I really don’t know if it’s that important.
My main goal is to start a discussion, not necessarily to determine a winner through the most democratic process possible.
Posted by Sean on March 12th, 2010@kurt .
Posted by Kyriacos on March 12th, 2010..i was being sarcastic ..(btw)
Out of the choices provided I had to give it to Black Hawk Down, it has the most replay value to me. I understand that the BLu-Ray is awesome can any one attest to that?
Posted by xego on March 12th, 2010The BHD Bluray IS awesome!
Posted by wade on March 13th, 2010No, it’s not.
ITS SUPER DUPER QUADROUPLE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Mr.Fansypants on March 13th, 2010Black Hawk Down? Come on people…
It’s depiction of the Somali people is dehumanising and an extremely one-sided racist perspective. The film also plays as a pro-recruitment text and serves to justify America’s presence as a ‘global police force’.
I cannot agree that such a film deserves a spot on any ‘great’ list. Great films should not only be technically and aesthetically accomplished, but they should also have resounding meaning that will make them still powerful films in years to come.
Posted by Romain on March 13th, 2010somali pirate lover..
Posted by Kyriacos on March 13th, 2010**It’s depiction of the Somali people is dehumanising and an extremely one-sided racist perspective.**
No shit? As if none of the American made films ever make them look good and others bad? The Hurt Locker much worse then BHD when it came the so called dehumanizing of American enemies. And its even worse with Behind Enemy Lines, The Kingdom and Tears of the Sun.
Posted by faggot lord on March 14th, 2010The sub-title of the book “Black Hawk Down” by Mark Bowden was “A Story of Modern War.” That sealed the deal for me. Also, with its setting in the early 90’s and limited contemporary media coverage, I think that this shows a more or less unadulterated story of how infantry troops are forced to come to terms with with their role in an urban environment and what that entails.
Posted by Nic Lipelli on March 14th, 2010Black Hawk Down? Come on people…
It’s depiction of the Somali people is dehumanising and an extremely one-sided racist perspective. The film also plays as a pro-recruitment text and serves to justify America’s presence as a ‘global police force’.
I cannot agree that such a film deserves a spot on any ‘great’ list. Great films should not only be technically and aesthetically accomplished, but they should also have resounding meaning that will make them still powerful films in years to come.
Posted by Romain on March 13th, 2010
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This coming from a guy who has no life experience or knowledge. Stop basing your theories on emotions.
Posted by Tommy on March 18th, 2010I’ve been to the Middle East a couple time times as a pilot and I would also have to say BHD for authenticity. The book is better and it is available on audible if you are looking to plug something. The book is even required reading for our basic training.
Posted by Xidor on August 13th, 2010Black hawk down was a pretty accurate description of Somalia… I loved it. I wish there was something on the other three wars I was in at the time.
Shield
Storm
Restore Hope
Joint Endeavor
Just Cause
I think a better movie would be that of one where the unit is the focus more than the one fight or battle. At no point was I ever bored…
Posted by 3rdbat9thmar on August 16th, 2010Leave a Reply