SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

GazerRise Fantastic!

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Manuell Labor Unlike films made about war, this one paints the soul of the young recruit in different ways to capture a unique Russian feeling. The first half of the film is about seasoning the body for battle but reflected in the eyes of each boy. There is nothing new here except the director is able to capture moments that any soldier can understand.I found this part of the film extremely powerful and much better than what American and British directors have been able to produce even for some excellent films (Sean Connery in the Hill, Kirk Douglas in Paths of Glory.) Lots of viewers compare 9th Company with Platoon. It's like saying apples and oranges are fruits but both are very different.The second half of the film becomes an obligatory showcase of battle and death that movies of this type require. Here again the flavor of Russian patriotism, or lack thereof is emphasized. Again the director shows flair and some interesting editing but many war movies have done this equally well. So its not boring but also not introspective.The best war movie ever is also Russian "Come and See". You should watch this and compare. I did and it knocked me over more so than the 9th Company which I still recommend worth seeing.

simon-frances74 It's one of the best Russian movies about the war!The movie is great,it breaks all records in Russia.It became the most popular movie in Russia ever!!!I mean it has collected more than 20 millions$ in just 2 weeks.And there is a good sign that it will approach 30 millions$ or even more!!!Definitely this movie will go down in History!The shooting was perfect,it was very well done.Actors play is honest,vivid,sincere and touching.What strikes me most is the realism of this movie.Actors portray their characters as realistic as it possible.They perfectly manage to show us the real war atmosphere with all its horror and brutality. So if you want to see a real war movie,with a real war actions, you must see it!!!!I give all my respect to the creators of this fantastic movie and wish it could climb over 40 millions$ because this movie deserves it,it made a big stir in Russia and i wish it will be soon recognized and respectively appreciated in other countries.The point of this movie is not to show the audience the power a heroism of Russian army,but to make people realize what a terrible consequences may the war lead to,and what it can turn into people life's.This movie simply demonstrates us the inanity and bloodiness of the war.

malhiggins I was a bit unsure wither or not to watch this film as it would mean staying up to 2am in the morning, but having done so I am extremely glad as this is a magnificent film, which pulls no punches about the horrors of war. The first part of the film dealing with basic training for raw recruits and the sheer brutality imposed on them and is similar to, as most reviewers have pointed out, the Hollywood blockbuster Full Metal Jacket.For me the plane crash scene is the introduction to the Afghan war and shows recruits stepping of the plane in Afghanistan and being replaced by jubilant veteran soldiers returning home having completed their tour of duty. The plane takes off and is then hit by an Afghan rebel SAM missile therefore forcing the plane to land again. Just as you think the plane has landed safely, a tyre bursts and it skids and crashes into a fuel dump thus incinerating everyone inside it.All this happens in front of the newly arrived recruits and sets the tone for the remaining action scenes in the film. I would not say this it is anti-war film but more like a film that show the horrors of war, which is not a bad thing.

Ben Larson Just about any war movie can claim to be based upon a true story. There are more war stories than movie film to capture them. The sadistic sergeants, the psycho soldiers, and the useless loss of lives to satisfy some politician are all here for your enjoyment.Mikhail Porechenkov as drill sergeant Dygalo was scary as hell, but a good drill sergeant has to be to keep his soldiers alive.Anyone who's seen movies like Platoon knows what to expect. One feature of this film that was different and slightly funny, was the right of passage with Snow White before they are shipped off to Afghanistan - arriving in Baghram, a familiar name.Of course, the first thing they see on arrival is a plane load of soldiers heading home to Russia getting hit just as they cleared the runway. Spectacular effects! The remainder was a typical war film, albeit from another cultural viewpoint. The soldier still have the same dreams and feelings.It did not end well at all.