I'm a big Clint Eastwood fan but there was something about this film that just felt off to me. I've never served in the military, but my son served in the Marines and simply based on some of his boot camp stories I could tell that the kind of recon platoon that Gunnery Sergeant Highway (Eastwood) encountered on his first day back would never have existed in real life. So early on, one has to view the story as one in which all the stereotypes apply, as Eastwood's character takes on the mission of whipping his boys into shape while challenging the arrogance and ineptitude of his superior officers. Malcolm Powers (Everett McGill) looked and acted like someone who could have been a Marine Major, but the portrayal of Lieutenant Ring (Boyd Gaines) seemed to come out of left field. He just seemed totally out of his element.Then, when the action shifted to actual combat during the invasion of Grenada, the film really took on an air of incredulity. With a population of about ninety one thousand at the time, it felt like there was no one else on the island except the Marines and a minor opposing force of revolutionary soldiers. There were the American medical students of course, about the only thing that felt accurate historically.This wasn't Clint Eastwood's first directorial effort, so I can't really account for the movie's lack of authenticity. One's best approach to the picture probably ought to be one of settling back and suspending disbelief, and enjoy the story as any another Eastwood actioner. I did get a big kick out of the Gunny quote to his new platoon that I mention in my summary line above. I had a boss in the supermarket business that would state "I'm here to tell you..." at least a couple of times in every speech he ever gave.

Heartbreak Ridge (1986) Plot In A Paragraph: Tom Highway (Eastwood) a hard nosed, hard drinking Marine gunnery sergeant clashes with his superiors and his ex-wife as he takes command of a spoiled recon platoon with a bad attitude.Clint took time out from his busy schedule or being the Mayor of Carmel, to direct and star in another of my favourite Eastwood flicks. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Highway may be politically incorrect and out of touch with modern techniques (How many times has a Clint character being called a dinosaur, a relic, a caveman?? It's a label often threw at him) but he is a hoot!! And boy does he get the job done!! Talking a lot more than your standard Eastwood character, Highway backs up his foul mouthed gravel voiced words with actions too. One of my favourite Eastwood characters hands down. Of the supporting cast Mario Van Peebles is brilliant as Stitch, he had a great chemistry with Eastwood and I'm surprised he never used him again. Tom Villard gets the laughs as Profile, Everett McGill is suibtably annoying as Major Powers, as is Moses Gunn as Sgt Webster whilst Arlen Dean Snyder stands out as Sgt Major Choozoo.The professional relationship between Clint Eastwood and longtime producer/associate Fritz Manes came to a bitter end during the making of this movie. This was the last film Manes ever worked on. Rumour has it, Clint had his secretary fire him by telephone!! He was a trusted Malpaso regular (every movie he produced was Clint related, with the exception of Ratboy with Sondra Locke) so it must have been something big!! Despite a flat trailer and one of the worst posters of Eastwood's filmography, Heartbreak Ridge grossed $42 million at the domestic box office to end 1986 the 18th highest grossing movie of the year.

Clint Eastwood's Heartbreak Ridge is best described as a cross between Stripes and Full Metal Jacket. Also, Heartbreak Ridge came out in a time frame in between both film's releases. Clint is great as Marine Corps. lifer Thomas Highway. The supporting cast was excellent as well with Mario Van Peebles giving his best performance ever as "The Duke Of Cool" Stitch Jones. Heartbreak Ridge is a great blend of comedy, drama and action. There is great dialogue, performances and balances genres really well. While not strictly an action movie, Heartbreak Ridge has a lot in common with the cold war era 80's action flicks that were popular in this period. Heartbreak Ridge was not exactly the recruitment poster the US Marines wanted and they withdrew their support for the project. Clint did an about face and went ahead and made the film he wanted to make. Heartbreak Ridge is an excellent film and by far my favorite Clint film to come out in the 80's.

Eastwood rarely disappoints . This one is pure fun 80's style . It wouldn't have been made today – it's too politically incorrect . People are swearing , there is no "America is bad , war is bad "message , the soldiers are portrayed as human beings not mindless killing machines. The movie sends a "win with yourself" message without being sappy . Actually it's one of the funniest movies I have seen. A great war comedy. There are many one liners and situations that are worth mentioning , but I just don't have time to write them all. My favorite is the joke with the waitress at the beginning of the movie and the t-shirts. There is some action in the last 30 minutes of the movie.It's fun to see how Eastwood's character interacts with his recruits and other people . Clint really fits the role of old fashioned soldier . It's good to see a REAL man in the leading role – something which is so rare in today movies. I also have to mention Mario Van Peebles as the adorable hippie rock singer Stitch. It's strange he didn't made a big career . He's charming and talented. Marsha Mason is lovely as Aggie.The movie is lighthearted fun , yet it wants the audience to respect the veterans , because nobody who wasn't at war can't really understand them . They are too often unappreciated and subject of jokes and attacks from society . No , this is not a pro-military movie . Even if it is considering how many anti-army and anti-war movies were made this one is a refreshing change . It's unpretentious fun , people , just like "Top gun" . It was made mostly to make the Americans feel better , but the amount of USA patriotism here is small , so everyone can enjoy it . Don't look for meaning of live and enjoy it .I give it 7/10.