I went to see this one with my dad yesterday.
First of all, I thought the movie was well done. For being over 2 hours long it never felt like it was dragging. The actors and actresses brought the characters to life well. The only fault was the baby girl was obviously a doll and you could tell the actors weren't all that thrilled at working with it.
Second, I know there's controversy about the film. Some say it's overly patriotic, others say Chris Kyle is not a sympathetic character (there's apparently some issues with verification regarding some things in the book).
One needs to remember this is a film made from an autobiography. The main character is portrayed as sympathetic and even idealized because that's how he is in the book. It's not a movie made to "correct the record," it's a movie made to try and bring to life for the American people the struggles of soldiers doing their duty "over there" and then returning home to "normal" life. So yes, Chris Kyle is presented in the movie with only minor flaw. The movie doesn't deal with some claims in the book that have been challenged (some events back in the States, any reason Ventura sued Kyle for defamation and won... none of that's in the movie).
The patriotism accusation I don't really get. Is Kyle really patriotic in the movie? Sure, his reasonings for joining up and continuing to serve ARE patriotic. That's the case for many who are serving... I know several young folks who joined the service out of a sense of patriotism. The film doesn't hit you over the head with mom, the flag, and apple pie. It's not like that at all. My supposition is that people with this complaint are the sort for whom the United States can do no right and those who wish to serve it are simpleminded rednecks. If that's one's viewpoint then a person will NOT like this movie. But it's hardly all "Star Spangled Banner."
I felt the movie does deal with the tension between the call of duty and excitement of combat and the psychological issues war can create in the human mind. While I've never served, let alone seen combat (so I can't really vouch for the realism of the combat scenes or the effects of PTSD, I have to trust they're legit), it does appear to show how even the warriors are affected by what they've done.
I thought the close of the film was extremely well done. Kyle's death is NOT shown (I was very thankful for this), but they do show the actual funeral procession and some scenes from the funeral. Come credits time, the soundtrack goes silent. I felt this was a great tribute to one who had served.
Overall, I would not say the film is entertaining. That's just the wrong word... I think saying it is "entertaining" is to trivialize the life of Chris Kyle, the grief of those who lost loved ones, and the chaos and suffering in war. I will say it is interesting and held my attention the entire time. I thought it was a story told well... as to the accuracy of everything in the film I see no need to stand in judgment (again, it's autobiography). It's not that easy a movie to watch. Unlike many other fictionalized war movies, this happened to real people and happened fairly recently, so knowing there's still kids growing up without their fathers and wives without husbands it tempers my enthusiasm for the film. It's just not an easy story to watch but it is very well done.
First of all, I thought the movie was well done. For being over 2 hours long it never felt like it was dragging. The actors and actresses brought the characters to life well. The only fault was the baby girl was obviously a doll and you could tell the actors weren't all that thrilled at working with it.
Second, I know there's controversy about the film. Some say it's overly patriotic, others say Chris Kyle is not a sympathetic character (there's apparently some issues with verification regarding some things in the book).
One needs to remember this is a film made from an autobiography. The main character is portrayed as sympathetic and even idealized because that's how he is in the book. It's not a movie made to "correct the record," it's a movie made to try and bring to life for the American people the struggles of soldiers doing their duty "over there" and then returning home to "normal" life. So yes, Chris Kyle is presented in the movie with only minor flaw. The movie doesn't deal with some claims in the book that have been challenged (some events back in the States, any reason Ventura sued Kyle for defamation and won... none of that's in the movie).
The patriotism accusation I don't really get. Is Kyle really patriotic in the movie? Sure, his reasonings for joining up and continuing to serve ARE patriotic. That's the case for many who are serving... I know several young folks who joined the service out of a sense of patriotism. The film doesn't hit you over the head with mom, the flag, and apple pie. It's not like that at all. My supposition is that people with this complaint are the sort for whom the United States can do no right and those who wish to serve it are simpleminded rednecks. If that's one's viewpoint then a person will NOT like this movie. But it's hardly all "Star Spangled Banner."
I felt the movie does deal with the tension between the call of duty and excitement of combat and the psychological issues war can create in the human mind. While I've never served, let alone seen combat (so I can't really vouch for the realism of the combat scenes or the effects of PTSD, I have to trust they're legit), it does appear to show how even the warriors are affected by what they've done.
I thought the close of the film was extremely well done. Kyle's death is NOT shown (I was very thankful for this), but they do show the actual funeral procession and some scenes from the funeral. Come credits time, the soundtrack goes silent. I felt this was a great tribute to one who had served.
Overall, I would not say the film is entertaining. That's just the wrong word... I think saying it is "entertaining" is to trivialize the life of Chris Kyle, the grief of those who lost loved ones, and the chaos and suffering in war. I will say it is interesting and held my attention the entire time. I thought it was a story told well... as to the accuracy of everything in the film I see no need to stand in judgment (again, it's autobiography). It's not that easy a movie to watch. Unlike many other fictionalized war movies, this happened to real people and happened fairly recently, so knowing there's still kids growing up without their fathers and wives without husbands it tempers my enthusiasm for the film. It's just not an easy story to watch but it is very well done.
