One of the greatest films of all time and the best war film of all time re-opens in theaters. Will I pass up the chance of watching it? Apocalypse Now is one of those dark, difficult, and sorrowed films of the 20^{th Century. This is one of those films that will change your view of the Vietnam War, change it and mirror it back to you with great melancholy. Apocalypse Now is a rare piece of cinema that can take you places that vivid thoughts cant do.}

The new version of the film comes with 49 minutes of restored footage longer than the original. The new footage does not change the expectation of the film, what especially dragged me to see it was having a last chance to watch it on the big screen and once again, to be elevated. The Technicolor process transfers colors that give a 1940’s and 50’s look that’s just remarkable. The film looks better than ever.

The new version also comes with a re-mastered soundtrack that gave me a exhausted feeling during the helicopter village assault where you can experience the helicopter go behind me and then over me. The story of the film proceeds a journey upriver of Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), who commands a patrol boat to pierce through enemy lines to discover the secret fortress of Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando)- one of the Army’s most adorned soldiers who now lead his own band of tribesman. The story is based on Joseph Conrad Heart of Darkness, which replaces the relentless mystery of the Congo with the mysterious American danger of Vietnam.

One of my favorite supporting characters of the film must have been Lt. Kilgore (Robert Duvall) whose most famous helicopter loudspeakers blasting Wagner during the assault on the village. One of his other sequences was his wannabe obsession to look cool by impressing the honorable surfboarder Lance by surfing in the middle of a battle, which is a hysterical scene. Another character, which gives a short but recognized performance, was Dennis Hopper playing the stoned photographer who gives authorization to meet with Kurtz.

Lets talk a little about the new footage, some blends into the film superbly while other sequences drag on, one such is a conversation on the French plantation that goes on for 20 minutes and makes wonder why? Other scenes work well, one such being the Playboy playmates meeting with Willard soldiers to get a little entertainment for a container of fuel. It makes you see how fantasy can be so unappealing.

To have Apocalypse Now, in this beautiful print is a luxury. This new version will make its way to DVD and be welcome there, but the place to see it is in a movie theater, sitting not too far back, your eyes and ears filled with its haunting vision. You think to your self, Now this is a movie.