Cruise plays the role of a stereotypical all-American boy, born straight out of an idyllic nuclear suburbia. Nonetheless, he is swept up in the (somewhat justified) anti-Communist sentiment at the time of the Cold War... And voluntarily signs up to be sent to a hostile alien tropical jungle, far from, frankly, where he belongs. His naivety is quickly shattered upon emergence of war's ugly head, and most of all: the tragic consequences of physical disfigurement. Back at home, he is neglected to a slum for veterans, full of disenfranchised coloured staff who berate him for his alleged white privilege... Meanwhile Cruise's character doesn't even have the privilege of being able to jack-off due to his permanent spinal injury from war. The conditions are abhorrent and are enough to gradually disillusion him about the war and his country. Later, he joins the anti-war movement against the Vietnam War and is met with scorn and ostracism by the silver-spooned political class. His family tries their best to support him, but nonetheless is helpless to treat his underlying injury. They are not able to reconcile their differences with their son's newfound connection with the anti-government drug-addicted promiscuous hordes of "peace-loving" hippies... The recent past's version of the perpetually offended social justice chip-shouldered hair-dyed bohemians of today. He ends up fleeing to Mexico, where he discovers a wasteland of downcast prostitution and empty debauchery, which leads him back to the United States. Interestingly, Cruise had also starred in Top Gun a few years prior, which is arguably the total opposite in tone to Born on the Fourth of July. In the end, the movie accomplishes its bleak portrayal of the treatment of disabled veterans by both American society and its government. However, it is an incredibly loud film... Literally and figuratively. It need not be, for the visuals, acting, and background alone is more than sufficient. The deafening tone thus detracts from an otherwise well-performed and directed war film. Cruise is both a wonderful choice for the character (of whom is loosely based off the real world Ron Kovic, with considerable artistic liberties) and executes his role perfectly. Cruise is really what makes this film work, and with the well-selected supporting cast!

There's about one humorous moment in the entire film, "That's what wrenches are for, dumbass!" The rest of the film takes itself way too seriously, but is still a slick action/thriller film. Ending was just awful. A big issue in the film and part of the reason why it's hard to take seriously is that the "villain" (more of an "anti-villain") relies on a masterplan that has way too many potential points of failure... And if it does fail, it's game over-no flexibility and virtually no room for error. The main plot was so inconceivable to the point of being totally ludicrous. This would be fine if the film wasn't so serious about itself, but it is... From the opening scenes right to the end. Accusations that this film is merely torture porn are misleading. Comparing this film to the likes of SAW is like comparing Teletubbies to The Human Centipede. While some scenes may make you squirm and cringe in anticipation, nothing all that graphic or prolonged is shown. If anything, it's very tame considering its subject matter. This isn't a criticism however, the action and death scenes are still entertaining without being needlessly exploitative. You can watch easily on a full stomach. Strong performances from both the main stars and lots of good lines, but the plot does them no *ahem* justice.

The Babysitter is definitely something... Unique in a nominally ordinary premise. The way the kid handles his fears... He doesn't freeze up, he just goes at it without hesitation like soldier... He would be highly suitable for dangerous occupations requiring quick decision-making and survivalism. In fact, I have never seen a kid depicted on screen as so resourceful and brave in my entire life, at least taking into account all of his existing fears and anxieties. I cannot say I am fan of the borderline inappropriate flirtation between the babysitter and "the baby." It treads a very fine line between being eccentric and outright creepy. That's probably the point though. This film is conducted at alternating paces of slow, intermediate, and fast. Everything about it feels off and unusual. I would say this is an entertaining film, but not one executed all that well. It leaves too many questions unanswered... Like it is setting itself up for a sequel, which I think belongs more in television shows than standalone films.

This movie is just all over the place... Like a stream of Spike Lee's consciousness put partly together in a motion picture with a plot, almost like a dream. The violence is a mix of shock and (unintentional?) comedy. As expected, Black nationalist themes are all over, the film's gotta' be woke. So, a bunch of old vets get the genius idea to go backpacking for gold in one of the world's only surviving communist states, venturing without a guide into the inhospitable tropical jungle, filled with snakes, howling unidentified hairy predators, and leftover mines from 'Nam. What could possibly go wrong? All that negativity aside, it's got some good moments, and is shot beautifully. I enjoyed it, even if it was pretty out there.

While the man-eating fungus-body-snatcher-plague is by no means original, the serious portrayal of a zombie apocalypse in The Girl with All the Gifts is one of the best. It's hard to believe they managed to do all they did on screen with such little budget (less than $5 million). The derelict natural-takeover landscapes are stunning and the fungal evolution is otherworldly and interesting. There's some extremely tense moments in this film and it achieves horror without reliance on jump scares or gratuitous gore. All that being said, the film's finale is poorly executed. Did the soldiers just decide to abandon all reason for the sake of wrapping up the plot? The teacher just accepts the near total genocide of the human race after a few tears? In the end, the Girl may be somewhat human, but she is absent of any humanity... And in this case, quite "literally worse than Hitler."