Starring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Bruno Kirby, Robert Wuhl, Tung Thanh Tran, J.T. Walsh, Noble Willingham, Richard Edson
Written By: Mitch Markowitz
Directed By: Barry Levinson
Studio: Buena Vista/ Disney
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Good Morning Vietnam is yet another movie I’ve seen lots of parts to but haven’t actually watched it from start to finish…At least I don’t think I did. I probably have but I can’t remember. This is one of Robin Williams’ most memorable roles I think. Now the DVD is back on DVD in Special Edition format, loaded with new bonus material.

Good Morning Vietnam is about a crazy, radio disc jockey who’s a bit out of control and a bit unorthodox, named Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams). He’s an actually DJ in real life, which this movie was based on. He gets shipped to Saigon by the military to host an early morning radio but the military are in for a rude awakening when Adrian hits the airwaves. He doesn’t do what’s told and ends up playing loud, rockin’ tunes from the United States instead of conformist stuff. And he’s also has a fast & sharp wit that gets mostly everyone listening bent over with laughter. Except the Lt. Hauk & Sgt. Maj. Dickerson, who’s in charge of the radio station. They try numerous times to tell Adrian what to play and also try to get him kicked off the radio as well. The General likes his humor and thinks he’s funny, plus he’s a hit with the soldiers so it’s hard for him to get off the air. All Adrian wants to do is give the soldiers something to listen to and remind them that they are Americans, and this is what America is listening back home. While in Vietnam, Adrian befriends a young Vietnamese boy who shows him around the place, and Adrian likes his older sister. But there is something about the young boy that Adrian doesn’t know about, that could get them both killed. Yeah I guess that’s pretty much the jest of the story.

Like I said above, I’ve seen pretty much the whole movie to Good Morning Vietnam but haven’t sat down to watch it from start to finish. I was also sort of young when this came out but remember listening to the soundtrack a lot. I still think this movie has one of the best soundtracks of all-time. I love oldies music and this movie was filled with it. The music had to be great in the movie because that’s pretty much what this movie is about. An Air Force DJ who plays what the people want to hear. There are lots of memorable scenes of all soldiers listening to the radio while all the music is playing…or Adrian spouting off a mile a minute. And Barry Levinson really captured Williams going crazy in the radio station, most of it ad-libbing from Robin Williams. It amazes me how someone came come up with all those jokes right off the top of their head. Some funny, some not but it still amazes me. You definitely have to be a Robin Williams fan to appreciate this movie because if you despise him, then you won’t enjoy Good Morning Vietnam.

I liked how the parts in the movie where he was at the radio station but I wasn’t really interested in the Vietnam part of it. It was okay but I’d rather watch those scenes of him doing radio. I particular remember the first 20 minutes really well growing up because that’s all the classic scenes with Robin doing his radio thing. And then the scene afterwards, when Bruno Kirby’s character comes in and abbreviates everything. That’s probably one of the funnier scenes in the movie. My only problem with the movie really is it does tend to drag on a little bit towards the end, and the scenes between radio & military life gets a bit jumpy. But the acting and humor is what makes this movie interesting and fun to watch.

A Special edition usually means new bonus materials, which is what you get here. The extras are actually really good and worth watching once you watch the movie. A lot of the actors are brought back to reminisce about the production, the acting of Robin Williams, the true story of Adrian Cronauer, and the music as well. Plus you get to see rare improvised monologues from Williams, along with outtakes. Really funny stuff! I’m glad to see a lot of the actors back to talk about the movie but no Robin Williams.

Good Morning Vietnam is a good comedy/drama with great acting from Robin Williams and the supporting cast. The special edition DVD gives the movie the extras it deserves and if you liked the movie, then get this. Simple is that!

Features:
Production Diary:
How The Movie Came To Be
Actor Improv
Music Of The Movie
Origin Of The Good Morning Vietnam Sign On
Shooting In Thailand
Overview Of The Film A Year Later
Raw Monologues
Original Theatrical Trailer
Original Theatrical Teaser Trailer

Audio:
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.0
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Stereo

Video:
Widescreen 1.85:1 Color (Anamorphic)

Subtitles:
English

Favorite Scenes: All the radio stations scenes
Rating: R
Running Time: 121 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: