5 War Movies That Real Veterans Hated (And 5 They Approve Of)

A war film can be a tricky one to get right. It requires a careful balance of raw human emotion, heart-stopping action, and authenticity. Take a look at the classics and you'll find that they aren't necessarily big-budget blockbusters with cutting-edge special effects and hordes of A-List actors in title roles, but are instead the ones that get the formula right and provide the audience with something very real. After all, seeing it on the silver screen is often as close to the front line as most people will get. But those that have seen action first hand are in the unique position of having some authority in regards to what is authentic and what is fantasy. For veterans, a war film's quality rests heavily on it's ability to reignite those familiar feelings of camaraderie and fear. It'll take more than a CGI explosion to get a real soldier's heart racing. Not surprisingly, veterans have often been outspoken in their views regarding Hollywood's efforts so far. If they like what they see, they'll praise it. When the filmmakers get it wrong, however, they're in for a severe tongue-lashing. Here are five war films that fell short of the mark in the eyes of the experienced, and five that get their mark of approval.