This is from my nephew that says it better then anything I have read!! There is a saying that a movie is only as good as the story it tells. In American Sniper. we as the audience are told an incredible though familiar story. The themes of patriotism, military engagement, vengeance, PTSD, and the brutality of war are all familiar topics, done many times in countless movies to varying degrees of success. So, then what does American Sniper bring new to the table? Most importantly, the story must be shaped into a narrative thread; a thread the director uses to engage the audience into buying what they are seeing. Clint Eastwood masterfully takes the huge complexities of the Iraq War and focuses it squarely on Chris Kyle and his experiences. Eastwood doesnt care what opinion is on the war, its soldiers, the politicians, terrorists, or any widespread ideology. Many filmmakers would change the source material to push their own ideology. Instead he stays focused squarely on Chris Kyle, his sense of duty, and true belief in his actions. This is honesty and may be American Snipers greatest quality and what makes it unique. Eastwood knows about good and evil perhaps better than any filmmaker or actor as hes made a career of portraying it time and time again. Weve seen the loss of innocence theme in Platoon; the return to civilian life in Born on the Fourth of July and Brothers. Weve seen the enduring human spirit in Saving private Ryan, but Ive never seen a movie knowingly so closely portray one single individuals experience the way I did in American Sniper, its always been from a distance. Here you can identify with his experiences even though Ive never experienced any of the experiences he has gone through. It goes without saying Coopers acting here is something of a marvel. Never once was I thinking that I was watching the same person from The Hangover. I will say that there only two other times in my immediate memory that I can remember there being near silence at the end of a movie. One was Schindlers List, one was Saving Private Ryan, and now American Sniper. Its well worth the time to check it out. Its not entertaining in that youll want to watch it over and over, but it is moving, heroic, tragic, and movie making at its finest. Rating 10/10
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:12:16 +0000
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