Review of Jarhead (2005) by Mandela W — 22 Aug 2016

Sam Mendes directs an unusual war film set during the gulf war of the early 90's. The story is focused on Anthony swafford who enlists in the marines. Swafford immediately is introduced to the crazy band of soldiers located at a base camp known as "The Suck." He learns how to be best kind of sniper solider from a tough as nails Staff Sargeant. However along with himself the rest of the guys are fighting a battle they didn't expect, a battle against boredom. With no confirmation or go ahead to go to battle the guys find themselves looking for anyway to pass the time while awaiting a chance to fight.

This was very good and really unexpected from Mendes I would have never thought he would make a war film. I don't know much about the Persian gulf war but based off of what I saw in Three Kings it was a unique one. I've never seen a war film like this in my life. It deals with marines who never get to see action on the battlefield. Some films show soldiers who struggle with killing while this looks at soldiers who want to kill who want to fight but don't get the chance. they battle with boredom and being away from home more than the enemy in the middle east.

Mendes goes a reeeally different and intense route with his direction here. He gives us intensity in a more emotional psychological manner. he brings out truly resonating performances from the cast Jake Gyllenhaal was really excellent here. Swafford was a really complex character who had so many opportunities come his way but something halted him every time and it gradually wained on him. Peter saarsguard delivers a strong performance here. He's a somewhat mysterious character who experiences the same headaches and boredom as the rest of the guys. Although I doubt this kind of Staff Sargeant exist Jamie Foxx did a really fine job here, Sam Mendes got a nice performance out of him. He plays both an extremely tough solider and a guy who's really at the end of the day trying to keep the heads on these guys shoulders.

Techiically the sound editing was pretty good. Great camera work here. Finally overall the film had a fantastic screenplay. Jarhead is a really dope flick that goes a whole other route from other war films.