American Sniper Movie Review: A War Way Beyond Enemy Lines
My head was spinning, my heart was beating out of my chest and every time I closed my eyes, I could still hear gunshots and grenades. That was me, sitting inside the cinema watching American Sniper.
American Sniper is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Bradley Cooper. It is based on the true story of a U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle who was sent to Iraq to protect his brothers-in-arms and his country. Chris Kyle whose skills as a sniper make him a hero in Iraq is a sharpshooter and lies on top of buildings to look over his brothers who walk the dangerous streets of Iraq.
Originally, Chris wanted to be a cowboy, but after seeing the terror attacks in his homeland, he found his higher purpose of protecting and serving his country. “In some ways, it’s a universal story about what most veterans have to go through—dealing with the seesaw of being in a war zone and then suddenly coming home to a ‘normal’ life. That was very moving to me” says Bradley Cooper when asked about him playing Chris Kyle.
Aside from the terrible dangers in Iraq, Chris is also having troubles at home as he strives to be a good husband and father. His wife Taya, played by Sienna Miller, is having a hard time not having her husband with her and is always worrying about Chris. Despite dangers and troubles, though, Chris served his country for four tours in Iraq and saved countless lives on the battlefield, earning him the nickname “Legend”.
American Sniper is not just a story of him as a hero but how he struggled emotionally and mentally as his friends died in battle and how he couldn’t be himself every time he was with his family. Every shot he fired took a toll on him and his inability to save more of his men at war bothered him whenever he was at home.
Overall, I think the partnership of Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper was really good. They went beyond their characters, exploring the mind and taking their audience into an action-packed emotional journey.
American Sniper will be in Cinemas on January 21.
