This article originally appear in the July Edition of Military Officer Magazine. Sign up to receive the magazine here.

Starting a conversation among those in uniform about military movies is pretty much like calling for fire on your own position and saying, “Fire for effect.”

It's no wonder opinions run hot in a precision-prizing crowd that can spot a crooked ribbon rack from 40 yards out. But when you get into a conversation about the best and worst military movies, you'll find opinions are far from uniform.

The one thing servicemembers can agree on, it seems, is that sloppy salutes are a signature of military cinema. And that they make us crazy.

However, when a military movie nails the little details, it can create moments that make us choke up, bust a gut laughing, or even reconnect with a memory long forgotten.

“All of them get some things right,” says Kurt Stein, a former Army tank captain who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. “It isn't always what I expect, though - small details.”

For Stein, one of those small details is the Hesco barriers that protect the more austere military camps in combat zones around the world. “I had forgotten they existed. … They surrounded my sleep trailer, and I slept within about three feet of a line of them.”

Let's take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of military cinema, and let the debate begin.

THE GOOD

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Director Mel Gibson nails the true story of Army Cpl. Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who received the Medal of Honor as a private first class for saving 75 men in the World War II battle of Okinawa in 1945. For retired Army Brig. Gen. Bob Gaylord, this is the first one to spring to mind when asked about the most accurate war movies he's seen.

Taking Chance (2009)

Another at the top of Gaylord's list, Taking Chance, tells the true, wrenching story of Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon), who volunteered to escort home the remains of Marine Pfc. Chance Phelps, killed during service in Iraq. (Phelps posthumously was promoted to lance corporal.) The 2009 film offers a window into the world of those tasked with the terrible honor of bringing home the fallen.

The Great Santini (1979)

Robert Duvall stars as Marine Lt. Col. Wilbur “Bull” Meechum, known as “The Great Santini,” in this classic. Meechum is a crack pilot behind the stick of the F-4 Phantom, but he is a hot mess as a husband and father. This one resonates strongly with those who know the price of heroism and sacrifice.

“Anyone who grew up as a Marine dependent, especially in the '60s and '70s, can identify with at least parts of this movie,” says retired Marine Maj. Tim Keefe. “And Robert Duvall is at his best.”

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Who could forget that opening sequence of the troops hitting the beach at Normandy? (See “Reel Talk,” R&R, page 38 for a deeper analysis.) Back when it came out in the late '90s, Saving Private Ryan was among the first war films to offer that level of combat detail and accuracy. This one's another near-universal favorite. You can thank retired Marine Capt. Dale Dye, now a technical advisor to Hollywood, for that.

“I think this was the first movie to provide a more realistic view of combat,” Keefe says. “It captures the sense of unity and bonds that develop in small units. Great cast. It's a terrific movie.”

Born on the fourth of July (1989)

Based on a true story, Born on the Fourth of July is among director Oliver Stone's best works. Tom Cruise stars as Ron Kovic, an officer who accidentally kills a member of his own unit in combat in Vietnam. After getting wounded, he comes home paralyzed and wheelchair-bound and struggles to find his way in an America torn apart by the war.

“Born on the Fourth of July addressed the fog of war on a personal level,” says Marine Lt. Col. John Caldwell. “Its deft handling of the friendly fire incident that plagued the story's protagonist, who ultimately attempted to account for his mistake, was moving.”

THE BAD

Pearl Harbor (2001)

I know you're shocked (shocked!) to find that a Michael Bay-helmed film is far from militarily accurate. But this 2001 stinker has earned some real venom from those in uniform.

“Too long and boring, historically inaccurate,” Keefe says. “It's really just a cheesy soap opera in disguise as a war movie.”

Poor Ben Affleck. That guy needs to wear body armor, given all the flak he gets for his film choices and performances.

Iron Eagle (1986)

Not even the always awesome Lou Gossett Jr. could save Iron Eagle from earning the scorn of those who can smell cinema cheese two klicks out. The film tells a story very, very loosely based on the 1981 Gulf of Sidra incident, in which two American fighter jets shot down a couple of Libyan fighter-bombers.

“It wasn't just completely unrealistic - it had the stupidest plot and terrible acting,” Keefe says. “The Navy gets Top Gun. The poor Air Force has to settle for Iron Eagle.”

Annapolis (2006)

Since we're on the subject of cheese, let's talk about Annapolis. Starring James Franco, Tyrese Gibson, and Donnie Wahlberg, this film is apparently limburger to the military set. Franco's battle to win a Naval Academy slot just isn't, well, interesting.

“I only made it through part of it - I kept hoping it would get better and then gave up,” Keefe says.

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

What to say about this one? Aliens invade. Marines rally to the defense of the planet. Inaccuracies in details small and large make viewers twitch in their seats.

“I'll just leave it at … 'Marines' wearing Air Force uniforms and insignia,” says Marine Reserve Lt. Col. Sean Clements, who puts this at the top of his stinker list.

… AND THE UGLY

Jarhead (2005)

There's nothing like a story about a dirtbag or malcontent to fire up the opinions. This one has as many passionate fans as it does haters. Based on Anthony Swofford's memoir, it stars Jake Gyllenhaal as the aforementioned malcontent, who deploys for the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91. While there's a strong camp of military viewers who found themselves disgusted with Swofford's struggles, the film does have its share of appreciators as well.

Stein, for one is a big fan. So, too, is Caldwell, who says the film is among those at the top of his list because “they are the most creative works that have aptly addressed the universal wonder and horror of war.”

Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

Speaking of dirtbags, another divisive entry is Clint Eastwood's Heartbreak Ridge. It does have a legion of fans - largely driven by Eastwood's turn as the gruff gunnery sergeant charged with reforming a recon outfit gone feral. But another character central to the film, Cpl. “Stitch” Jones (Mario Van Peebles), is the classic dirtbag-on-active-duty that leaves many of you grinding your teeth in anger.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Stanley Kubrick's two-films-in-one leaves a lot of servicemembers feeling deeply conflicted. The film captures the Marine boot camp experience in the first half and the Vietnam combat experience in the second. Buoyed by the strength of R. Lee Ermey's stellar performance as Senior Drill Instructor Hartman, the first half is a master class in the 1960s boot camp experience. The more morally ambiguous Vietnam half of the movie, however, leaves a lot of servicemembers feeling cold.

“The first half of this movie is the most accurate depiction of a boot camp experience, save for the lack of humor,” Clements says. “As much terror as you have during this period, you have a good proportion of laughs.”

Hurt Locker (2008)

While Kathryn Bigelow's story of an explosive ordnance disposal team in Iraq targeted by insurgents is unrealistic and inaccurate enough to have created a legion of haters, there's a moment that does stand out as spot-on. Stein has this one on his “worst” list overall, noting “No one leaves a [forward operating base] by themselves or even in a single vehicle.”

But that being said, he notes, “There's a single scene in Hurt Locker where the main character [Jeremy Renner] redeploys and finds himself
unable to make a decision about cereal at a grocery store. Easy things have become impossible. What was common is now confusing and
terrifying.”

That's a moment sure to resonate with those who have made the adjustment to life back home after experiencing combat. As retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Kane Walsh says, the film is one of those that “likely portrayed what people go through.”

That, more than anything, might be what we're looking for in our military movies.