Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 05/28/2019
In 1978, this powerful film showed a side of the Vietnam War most Americans never saw possible.
Rating of
3/4
Yojimbo - wrote on 04/19/2012
Although the scene setting is a little over long, this is still a remarkably powerful war film that studies the impact of Vietnam on a group of smalltown friends at a very personal level. Uniformly excellent performances, especially by the haunted Christopher Walken and an unforgettable climax.
Rating of
3/4
preston - wrote on 01/27/2012
This is a great movie, but it's hampered by a painfully long run time. Cutting the wedding reception scene by about 30 minutes could move The Deer Hunter into my top 50, but an hour long first act (prologue?) is just too much to make this movie one of my all time favorites. One of the most suspenseful movies ever made if you can make it to the second act without falling asleep. It's so good, but at the same time, almost unwatchable.
Rating of
3/4
Unknown - wrote on 01/21/2012
There is a good story and great acting here, but the long running time does hamper the experience. I don't mind movies that exceed 2 and 1/2 hours, but here it just slows everything down to a crawl and a number of scenes fell like the ones you watch on the 'deleted scenes' section of the dvd special features.
Rating of
4/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 12/09/2011
This is a crushing portrait of the horrors of war, because it takes the time to create real and heartfelt characters and then places them in the most brutal and gruesome of circumstances. The Russian Roulette scene is infamous for being incredibly tense and squirm-inducing, but the entire film is a thought-provoking view of how war changes people.
Rating of
4/4
The Film Rebel - wrote on 11/11/2010
The most compelling portrayal of the horrors of war and how it affects those who partake in it. A masterpiece.
Rating of
3.5/4
gideon43 - wrote on 05/30/2010
A movie which over the years has withstood some criticism and controversy. Hardly liked by Vietnam Veterans and deemed by some to be racist, the Deer Hunter is nevertheless a powerful and harrowing experience. More about male friendship than the horrors of battle, this is a film that concentrates on the effects and aftermath of going to war. Emotionally potent, at times devastatingly so, the Deer Hunter is a compelling study of insanity, intolerance and grief. Stunningly directed with powerhouse performances from De Niro, Walken and Streep, the Deer Hunter may not be the most accurate depiction of combat ever, but it would be difficult not to put it on anyone's list of the best War movies of all time.
Rating of
3.5/4
sapien - wrote on 01/17/2009
An excellent movie. One of the best war movies ever. But, hey, it has De Niro in it, so it kinda has to be great.
Rating of
3/4
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/19/2008
Although it suffers from some pacing issues, Deer Hunter is still a landmark Vietnam film with some great scenes and all-around decent cast (especially De Niro). It requires some patience, but I think it's worth it.
Rating of
3.5/4
sodapop - wrote on 02/25/2008
This one has amazing performances and you really can't wrong with circa 1975-1980 DeNiro. A well deserved Best Picture Oscar for a smart and moving work if albeit not an "easy" one.
