Did it really portray them that poorly? There were a decent amount of positive elements (Foxx's character seemed to be an ideal NCO). I just think the negatives tend to stand out a lot more. I know this guy was supposed to be disillusioned, but unless he was lying (I have no clue. haven't read the book) then that stuff actually happened. Are people upset that the movie showed these things that happened, or because they have to confront the fact that Marine/military life isn't as ideal as they'd like to believe? Overall it was negative, but it was a story about screwed up dudes and the fact that there were only a handful of scumbags in the movie with thousands of Marines says something. I know for me the scum stick out more than the stars, so sometimes I have to consciously remind myself that these people don't represent the group. I think most people who see the film will realize that.