A Vietnam movie made just a few years after the war ended has it't merit not the least because it captures the time spirit much more closely than anything made decades after. There are some goofs as in all "old" movies, for example the M-16 shots not sounding anywhere near the real. Modern movies have more realistic effects (explosion effects and bullets hitting) but the lack of perfection in this really does make this movie any less good.
The acting is good and in many was better than in Full Metal Jacket which clearly was inspired by The Boys.
For those being into Vietnamn war movies, this is worthwhile seeing as it was one of the very first, made close in time and was an inspiration to later movies.
It also touches topics which were exploited more heavily in later movies; incompetent officers just going for body count, corruption and drug abuse. It avoids deeper digging and only very lightly touches the relations to the ARVN or racial issues. There are no explanations at all why the time (shortly before the Tet offensive)is important and why going to Khe San at that time would be fatal. But knowing your Vietnamn war history, you will know.
The acting is good and in many was better than in Full Metal Jacket which clearly was inspired by The Boys.
For those being into Vietnamn war movies, this is worthwhile seeing as it was one of the very first, made close in time and was an inspiration to later movies.
It also touches topics which were exploited more heavily in later movies; incompetent officers just going for body count, corruption and drug abuse. It avoids deeper digging and only very lightly touches the relations to the ARVN or racial issues. There are no explanations at all why the time (shortly before the Tet offensive)is important and why going to Khe San at that time would be fatal. But knowing your Vietnamn war history, you will know.