Platoon is a movie that advocated heavily for war veterans, showing that there often is more than war going on as a young man is sent out on the field. There is a heavy emotional destruction that goes on, as they are not only killing the other young men of the enemy, but their children and families as well. The war is not something that will happen and then be forgotten, it will be a weight on each of the soldier’s life for the rest of their days.
As Taylor enters the platoon, he notices that there are two very different groups. One is sober, brutal and factual knowing the truths of war and becoming one with them, while the other group is idealistic, bearing hope on their chests for a better future. Most of those in the second group end up dead, which is a lesson of its own. However, those that ended up dead in the first group died because the second group became so enraged, they did what they hated the first group for: killing people that were supposed to be left alive.
The main character in the story, also has to change in order to survive. He begins as a naive boy, hoping that he can be a savior for those in need during the brutalities of war. However, he notices that those like him are dying, or being put down by the brutal ones. In his rage, he seeks revenge, yet he does it while trying to survive. Therefore, his actions are praised by the audience, understanding why he is acting the way he is, from the hurt he has gone through.
