We Were Soldiers: Blu-ray Review (2008)

Based on a true story, the Vietnam War drama “We Were Soldiers,” now out on Blu-ray disc, is set in 1965.  It chronicles the first major battle fought between American soldiers and the North Vietnamese Army, with Mel Gibson featured as Lt. Col. Hal Moore, a happily married father of five who must lead his battalion into a battle zone without proper preparation or intelligence. 



The film's momentum shifts when Gibson and his men are quickly overwhelmed by thousands of enemy troops.  Now their mission is to get out alive. 



It’s up to Moore’s wife (Madeleine Stowe) to deliver the gruesome news of the growing death count to the wives and families waiting on the home front.  And it’s up to a helicopter pilot played by Greg Kinnear to make certain the skies are safe.



Bursting with nobility, patriotism and sentiment, “We Were Soldiers” is mostly strong, an extremely graphic, realistic war movie that also stars Chris Klein and Sam Elliott in solid supporting roles. 



Rated R.  Grade A-.