It’s the movie some people are saying things about. American Sniper is either really great war propaganda or really terrible war propaganda. It’s directed by Clint Eastwood (cue groans) but starring Bradley Cooper (cue cheers) as Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history. You might want to get some oven mitts, because this review’s one hot take.
Canadian comedian/actor/director/writer/political analyst Seth Rogen recently compared American Sniper to the propaganda film that plays on screen in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. Some people were upset by these statements, while others were not. Rogen clarified that these statements were not political in nature and not in any way indicative of his opinion on the film. Likewise, it is with full disclosure that I state that this review is not in any way indicative of my opinion on the film nor are they intended to be political in nature.
Our generation was bamboozled under libelous circumstances into two for-profit wars. But I guess there’s nothing we can do about it now. The past is the past, and besides we’re about due for a few more wars by now, aren’t we? Also, America is the greatest country on Earth, has never made any mistakes. Except for the racism. And sexism. And homophobia. And transphobia. And classism. Ad infinitumurica.
So if America isn’t objectively the greatest country on Earth, it certainly has the potential to be with improvement. How, you might ask? I’m probably not qualified to answer, but we can start with glorifying peace instead of glorifying war and murder.
The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces make a sacrifice for civilians like me and you (if you’re not a civilian I salute you and thank you for your service). They endure the horrors of war, they take on the physical, emotional and moral burdens so we don’t have to.
Here are some direct quotes from the late Chris Kyle’s autobiography, which Eastwood’s film is (loosely, perhaps even suspiciously so) based on:
“I only wish I had killed more.”
“I loved what I did. I still do. If circumstances were different — if my family didn’t need me — I’d be back in a heartbeat. I’m not lying or exaggerating to say it was fun. I had the time of my life being a seal.”
The fact that Chris Kyle seems unphased by his wartime experience is troubling, to say the least, though it’s entirely possible that Kyle’s apparent lack of empathy is evidence of the sheer extent to which it disturbed him. Regardless of the context, Chris Kyle was still taking human lives. It thrilled him. He had the time of his life.
FINAL SCORE: This film’s score is a confirmed 160 out of a possible 255. American Sniper is definitely a low-point for the franchise, which is based on a country founded in 1776 and includes such films as American Beauty, American Psycho, American History X, American Gangster, American Pie, American Pie 2, American Wedding, American Reunion and American Hustle.