Review of Stop-Loss (2008) by Josh R — 02 Apr 2009

My main draw to this film was that I heard that was "The greatest way for the current generation to understand the Iraqi war" and that it was directed by Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry).

All the guys in the movie are super buff and stereotypical military personalities. All the girls are attractive and dramatic. It's an MTV Films production if you haven't already guessed. The story follows Sgt.

Brandon King (Phillippe) as he is supposed to be discharged and allowed to go back home. Happy, King never sees the potential of being "stop lost" and is ordered back into active duty in Iraq.

Hating this more than anything in his life he goes awol and heads to Washington to complain. Of course he is delayed by his wife not understanding, his best friend and fellow army member who continually punches and yells at him, and his family who annoyingly begs him to come home.

He finally finds a way to escape the country since D.C. didn't work out and... does he take it!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!? OMGZ! Let's watch and find out! No, you don't have to. He goes back into the army because it's the "right thing to do" or whatever.

The plot has holes and is nothing more than a satire/mockery of the military and it's rules. It's not really worth watching if you catch my drift. Sure it's nice to learn about the reality, psychotic tendencies and PTSD of army members who have served in Iraq but as far as the movie goes it's not worth seeing.

Learning about their behavior is the only reason I gave this movie 2 stars. If you want to learn about their behavior or the influence of the war on their lives then heck yeah watch it. Or even if you're in the military you should watch it as well.

If you want a good movie, steer clear.