firstly i should admit that i do like the war genre but also realize that like anything else there be good one and bad one . this for me be a good one and a really good one . like others have mention the dark lighting and claustrophobic tunnel set and realistic look location and uneasy score . i find myself not want to relax back in the chair a i felt the tension and body count build . a problem with many hollywood war flick like pearl harbour or save private ryan and be that they be just some all american good guy run around and shoots heap of enemy with 1 gun while ten of enemy gun have no effect and save the day and the u and allied force be glorify and the enemy be demonise . at least in rat everyone dy and and it be show that there be all type of soldier on both side rather than just good american and bad vietcong . as far a the technical side of thing go people have to realize that when 98 % of people will find the costume and prop fine and the studio isn not go spend a bunch of extra money to satisfy the extra 2 % . my take be that you just have to give film a break if you have expertise in their area . if sicken hollywood ending make you want to spew then this be for you .