If I were Oscar...
War is ugly but Terrence Malick has created a masterpiece, with conscience, about the physical and moral reality of American soldiers sent to the Battle of Guadalcanal. Sean Penn and Jim Caviezel lead a brilliant ensemble cast, the two often at odds with each other, in this beautifully filmed ode to man?s assault on the natural world, and each other, and the consequences of such actions. (Malick?s ?The New World? presents the same issues.) Enemies, battles, bombs, guns are all present but wrapped within the musings of soul-searching soldiers and a gorgeous soundtrack, courtesy Hans Zimmer. Terrence Malick has proved not all war movies need to be ?action? films. Truly the best film of 1998.