Tigerland (2000). Cert 18. Director - Joel Schumacher. Writer - Ross Klavan & Michael McGruther. Starring - Colin Farrell, Mathew Davis & Shea Whigham.

Premise - 1971 and the Americans are losing the Vietnam war. In Louisiana the latest batch of infantry are going through final training in 'Tigerland', a recreation of the Vietnamese jungle. One grunt however, doesn't see things the same way as the US army. This was quite a surprise. Coming as it does from Joel 'hack' Schumacher whom has saw fit to punish the film watching world with such dross as Batman Forever, Batman & Robin & 8mm. Here he seems to draw on his older and in my opinion much better work. He takes the grittiness of Falling Down and the camaraderie of St. Elmo's Fire, throws them in a blender and comes away with a blinding film that is a wonderful study of human nature. Perhaps most surprising is the modestness of the film. Looking almost like a dogme movie, everything is paired down to the basest level. Lighting, make-up and music are minimal and portions look like a documentary rather than a movie. A large chunk of the praise for the look of the movie must go to cinematographer Mathew Libatique. He was also responsible for Darren Aronofsky's Pi & Requiem For A Dream. Bizarrely he also did the cinematography on Josie & The Pussycats! Irishman Colin Farrell plays Dozz, a grunt with a keen mind for law and a sense of morality that ultimately becomes a leader of sorts to the platoon. This is the kind of performance that makes a career, he is outstanding and is sure to be in for big things. In-fact look out for him in the upcoming Daredevil movie as 'Bullseye'. The rest of the cast are also largely unknown and are all good, especially Shea Whigham as the psychotic Wilson, another name to keep an eye out for. The writers based the script on their own experiences in training before Nam, but the film does contain the usual stereotyped war film characters. The standard ball busting sergeant, the whiny grunt who 'doesn't belong there' and the nice guy sergeant who's just trying to help they are all present and correct. Small moans aside this is an excellent war film that shows that Schumacher is at his best when playing everything down.

7/10 for Tigerland. Poster Quote - Grr, I'm a tiger.....