Today’s quick review: American Sniper. Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), a Texas ranch hand, decides to serve his country and prove his mettle by becoming a Navy SEAL. After months of training, first as a SEAL and then as a sniper, Kyle is deployed to Iraq, where he earns a reputation as one of America’s deadliest snipers. But as Kyle goes back for tour after tour, the separation takes its toll on his relationship with his wife Taya (Sienna Miller).
American Sniper is a biographical war drama from director Clint Eastwood. The movie tells the story of Chris Kyle, the sniper with the most kills in US military history. American Sniper follows Kyle on the battlefield, where his steady nerves and sharpshooting make him an invaluable ally, and back home, where the memories of war keep him from reconnecting with his wife. Solid craftsmanship and careful treatment of its subject matter make it a good pick.
American Sniper finds a nice balance between combat, personal drama, and the bare facts of Kyle’s life. The combat scenes are tense without tipping over into unrealistic, and they are tied together by Kyle’s ongoing hunt for Mustafa (Sammy Sheik), a skilled enemy sniper. The personal side of the film is handled tactfully, showing the changes to Kyle’s personality brought on by war as well as the emotional bonds and convictions that help him come back home.
American Sniper makes for a mature, sober portrayal of war, as seen through the eyes of one of its most successful practitioners. It does not have the exaggerated action of fictional war movies nor the scathing commentary of darker dramas, but its honest depiction of its subject matter gives it a strong appeal for anyone interested in the modern military. Those looking for something more colorful may want to steer clear.
For a war movie with a more elaborate plot, try Saving Private Ryan. For the true story of a less eventful deployment, check out Jarhead. For another war movie from Clint Eastwood, try Flags of Our Fathers or Letters from Iwo Jima.
7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for craft and balance.