Review of American Sniper (2014) by Soldierhobo — 25 Jan 2015

I held off writing this review, because of the Oscars and the highly politicized nature of the topic. But, I can wade in now. As a veteran of the Iraq War, I can say the movie was mediocre. The minutiae was right, almost spot on, but the protagonist was simplistic to the point of idiocy. It does a great job of summing up the experience of a generation. Partying, no care in the world, then 9/11 and an urge to serve. To the streets of Baghdad and the brown desert air.

What it doesn't do a good job is showing any reaction in Kyle. He just is. No reasoning to be a SEAL (Trust me, 3 hours of freezing your balls off will make you quit if don't have a damn good reason). No introspection when he plugs a kid, when his wife pleads with him to come home, or when his teammates die. He just grunts and says "God, Country, Family.." The characters around him are so much more interesting and more deserving of a movie. Kyle is just super-soldier, who grunts at the sign of danger and leads his flock (to an early death most often). He lacks any introspection.

Add the fact that it is pretty one-sided, etc. It just lacks all depth. I just don't get the idea that Kyle was anything more than a simpleton with a gun. I haven't read the book, and with all the stuff that has happened afterwards, I'm not sure I want to. I've met enough Psychopaths and simple minds in the military. I can understand, but I can't condone blanket racism or psychopathic blood lust. But I understand what part of the soul those things arise from. Of course, I believe that most people don't succumb to those things. Kyle seems to be the kind of person who did succumb.

Overall, I'm glad the movie was made. It does at least portray the Forest Gump version of the Iraq War, and start the conversation. It's better to know that those who did not volunteer actively hate you, than to assume they just couldn't run a mile. I'm glad the chicken hawks have a new Rambo to pretend to be on the weekend. Finally, I'm glad that at least America cares again, while somewhere in Afghanistan, heroes are still doing dangerous things while we watch insipid movies. I just hope no one asks me what shooting kids was like after this....