Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

Synopsis: Gravel-voiced jarhead growls a lot before liberating Grenada.

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “Clint Eastwood stars in Heartbreak Ridge as ‘Gunny’ Highway, a grizzled US Marine Corps lifer who, as he begins his last tour of duty before mandatory retirement, sees the bumpy road his life has taken become even more complicated.”

What Did I Learn?: The AK-47 assault rifle is the preferred weapon of America’s enemies and it makes a distinctive sound when fired. 2) It’s not so heroic when the hero shoots a wounded enemy soldier in the back.

You Might Like This Movie If: You’re a supply teacher, and you need some inspiration before you spend a day with a bunch of unruly Grade 8’s.

Really?: 1) So wait – Highway just happens to run into one of the men (a corporal!) soon to be under his command, and the dude rips him off? Ok, coincidences happen, but wouldn’t Stitch Jones have known that he and Highway were going the same way, and wouldn’t he have thought twice about stealing from a fellow Marine? That seems rather implausible. 2) Um...who exactly posted Stitch’s bail when he and Gunny were locked up in jail together?

Rating: Heartbreak Ridge is a funny and well-written movie. I’m not sure if any Marine unit would ever be allowed to become that lax, but Eastwood delivers a strong performance and Mario Van Peebles nearly steals the show as a lovable bullshit artist. 8.5/10 stars.  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091187/