American Sniper (Starring Bradley Cooper) Movie Review

[@michaelm3327]

First off, you say "safely from a distance". You should realize that once one shot is taken a snipers position is revealed to the enemy so I would not call that safely. Secondly, murder is not the same as killing. Murder is killling a person unlawfully. Killing is completely different. If a man walks up to me in a street and threatens to kill me wth a gun and I defend myself to the point that I have to kill them that is killing. If I walked up to someone on the street and shot him for no apparent reason, that is murder. As for Chris Kyle he killed the enemy that we're threatening to the us troops. That is killing not murder, that is why we say he killed 160 people not murdered 160 people. Chris Kyle had some questionable veiws but he is dead and he is not here to defend himself. So you should not be saying things about a dead man and not call him a coward.

[@ddha0000]

Michael M unfortunately this movie represents all that the world hates about 'Murica', I prefer to think about the good side of the US.

[@TacticsTechniquesandProcedures]

I felt the two moments you describe[and more]. Did everyone forget the scene where the spotter was celebrating Kyle's first kill? Chris said, "Get the fuck off me. Don't touch me." That scene, for me, represented the disconnect between people who [still] worship him as "The Legend" while celebrating the deaths verses his own conviction/PTSD. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and I'll NEVER... I say again, NE-VER commit homicide. PTSD is maladjustment if you're still "in the war zone" _surviving_. *Some people just never leave the war zone.* The fact that Chris Kyle was lying to himself was dramatic irony, the maladjustment. In my opinion, the defining moment of this movie's overall view on the war was when Kyle was asked, "Why are we here[Iraq]?"

[@TYLERNAVYGUY]

Navy Retired here. BUD/S class 218. Friends with veterans who acted with Cooper and company to bring this portrayal to the masses. I initially want to feel angry watching this uneducated "review" of this movie and what they FEEL (except for Christy) in stark contrast of what is TRUTH. Read his book. Look up Kyle on youtube, Read HIM. Listen to HIM. Don't have your ONLY exposure to Kyle and his life be based 1000000% on your only seeing him on the movie screen, mixed with your nauseating lack of knowledge of anything related to Honor Courage and Commitment, which led to your horrible opinion of the movie, in turn a tragedy for anyone who doesn't know who Chief Kyle was and won't consider going to watch the movie, what he accomplished, and why he did it all. God. Country. Family. HOO YAH! Chief Kyle!

[@marlock6573]

Hey bro. Can you provide confirmation of the three dozen looters that your buddy claimed he took down from the top of Superdome during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina or the two guys that he killed in that gas station? LOL @ you and the fact there's a movie aggrandizing this lying piece of shit.

[@danielerickson7649]

well said Tyler...thank you for your service sir

[@glenlackey2]

Agreed Tyler. May I add, now dare they call a sniper a coward because he is far away. They know nothing. As you know, when in an urban environment you take a position in an either occupied or unoccupied house. Hold family at bay, set up shop for hours if needed. Once you fire the house your are in is now a defensive position because they know where you are, even more so if you are forced to fire again. They even put a price tag on the heads of snipers. Coward? Plz. As a Marine (1/23rd) I can't wait to see this movie. I am against the wars but not the warriors. Semper Fi.

[@ArchaicStigma]

Mr.RayDonovan I said the samething it's like how can someone claiming to know about a subject, especially considering this review isn't ad libbed. Would it of been that difficult for him to look up a documentary or something? Instead of basing his idea of what a sniper is on a movie and other works of fiction that are often based on real events. The enemy sniper is the first person you want to kill in fact a sniper on one side but not the other can turn the tides with surpressive fire. That's like saying using artillery or being in a tank is "cowardly" when in reality those situations might have a lower mortality rate compared to front soliders. Because just like with snipers artillery and tanks are high value targets.

[@davidmoulder689]

You are a hero my friend, just do what you do, dont change for anything.

[@linuxrobotgeek]

Saw this film when it came out here in Switzerland and nothing says propaganda like a movie that tries to portray Kyle as some kind of damaged individual when in fact he was an unrepentant racist who lied about using his sniper rifle to kill people in New Orleans. He wanted to kill people and therefore he got his chance. My uncle served in Desert Storm and was ashamed of what he did. Kyle fought for a war that was based on lies by various intelligence agencies and the government. He does not deserve any praise because he chose to participate in the military industrial complex. I love Bradley Cooper, but this was the most shameful role he ever chose.

[@darkershade22]

Snipers are cowards?!? what a ignorant thing to say..so are bomber pilots, soldiers on aircraft carriers, and tank drivers cowards too?

[@christopherknox]

"The safety of a sniper's nest." How safe do you think a position is when the moment you fire your weapon, your nest immediately becomes a defensive position? In fact, it becomes a defensive position you cannot immediately leave. They are looking for you. You shoot, and they locate you.

[@WestsidePatriot]

What makes me pissy about this aside from the obvious (and me being a Sailor myself) is the use of the term "Soldier". Chris was Navy "SEAL," he earned that right. Soldier is not a fucking catch-all term, "troop" is and that refers to a military unit, a Soldier is a person in the Army. I don't know how many times I have been called a "Soldier" while being in uniform where it says *U.S. NAVY* right on my goddamned chest, clear as day.

[@jackofsticks]

You shoot at people for the military, you're a soldier. Simple as that.

[@WestsidePatriot]

jackofsticks Disrespectful comment, I must say.

[@jackofsticks]

What, you need an actual dictionary definition to keep your butt from getting hurt? "A soldier is one who fights as part of an organized land-based armed force; if that force is for hire the person is generally termed a mercenary soldier, or mercenary."

[@jackofsticks]

Somebody doesn't know the definition of 'especially,' yet calls other stupid. Sad. Course, if you read the rest of the entry: a : *one engaged in military service* and especially in the army b : an *enlisted man or woman* c : a *skilled warrior* Tus, using the definition *you* provided, one doesn't even have to be in the military to be a soldier, based on 1C. Try getting a 3rd grade reading level, kid,

[@WestsidePatriot]

Justin Biggs No rivalry. When someone refers to who ever in any branch, they refer to them as their respective branch *out of respect*. If you call a Marine a soldier, they'll flip shit. I'm not sure how you conceived "rivalry" from the thread.

[@Phi1618033]

"Most deadliest"--Ben Mankiewicz, 2014

[@Amy_Penney1234]

I TOTALLY caught that, but thought I was wrong in thinking it sounded wrong...anyway.

[@dasschleg]

We need a Grave of the Fireflies -type film for the conflicts in the middle east.

[@Elite-bh6pm]

Grave of the Fireflies is a magnificent film, made me tear up a little.

[@Elite-bh6pm]

***** OK, you got me. Truth be told, I was weeping like a little girl. :(

[@jeffapellido1959]

Gio Reyes Yeah, me too.

[@Elite-bh6pm]

***** Grave of the Fireflies is a truly great anti-war film, it should be compulsory viewing for anyone who thinks war is glorious.

[@Elite-bh6pm]

***** I totally agree by the way, there does need to be a Grave of the Fireflies - type film focussing on the modern conflicts in the middle east. The question is who would make such a film? I doubt very highly that Hollywood would have the balls to make a film of that kind from the "enemy's" perspective, solely highlighting the suffering of and in the process humanising the so called "Terrorists" who's lands the west invaded and continue to occupy. I could only imagine the reaction this kind of film would garner, interesting to say the least would be the reaction of the extremist right wing conservative crowd of the United States.

[@jfrsnjhnsn]

There is nothing cowardly about being a sniper. It is not safe or easy to find or reach one's position as a sniper, and every shot you take gives your position away.

[@sungod870]

lol yeah shooting people from a mile away being undetected (sometimes in enemy territory) is EASYYY ... jesus chirsts

[@BloodBrothers87]

I think you guys need to be more aware of giving away spoilers because just in this review you have told me the ending of Unbroken and a major plot point in American Sniper, putting "Spoiler alert" on the screen during you explain the spoiler is not good enough and I think you need to change the way you address this.

[@LiberaLib]

I think you're right but I long ago started assuming these guys are going to spoil and I don't watch their reviews unless I don't care. I hear ya but I just don't think they're ever going to be able to help themselves.

[@LiberaLib]

exactly why I didn't give a fuck about spoilers. let me guess, the sniper did awful shit and fell bad about it but the movie never actually dealt with the loss of the families of the people he killed and instead focused on him and his inner torment over whether he was really a hero or not, and it turned out he was? Yeah, cuz I've seen that one a million times, in just about every movie that' trying to trick me into going over to the recruitment office. oh, sorry. SPOILER ALERT. .

[@exyiaevox]

The spoilers are relevant to make the points in the discussion - these aren't bullshit "youtuber" reviews of "yeah it was fun. yeah the acting was good. bradley cooper was great in it. go see it"

[@collegeboykeith]

***** same herre

[@fong03]

***** I don't disagree that sometimes it is necessary to discuss major plot points in order to properly critique a film. I think the OP has a point though. The WTF team is really good about avoiding spoilers or making separate spoiler-filled reviews. I just think the spoiler tags on videos like these tend to be about 3 seconds too late. If you are going to watch a review, I think you have to prepare yourself for potential spoilers, but I don't think you'd expect to hear spoilers from a completely different movie. Again, I love the WTF gang and I think they handle these issues well. Just apply the spoiler tag a few seconds earlier. :)

[@papo1417]

Bradley Cooper should win an Academy award for this movie and Clint Eastwood a definite Oscar.

[@ThePetlowany]

Cooper and Eastwood have stated that their aim was to deliver a "character study" of a single warrior, rather than an opinion piece about the Iraq war. However, precisely because of their proximity to the Kyle family, and the subsequent pressure to portray Kyle admirably, the film simply omits a large chunk of Kyle's persona, mostly the unflattering aspects. Along with the fictionalized plot devices created for story telling purposes, this sanitizing aspect is why the content-based criticism being raised is perfectly valid.

[@richardmurphy9006]

Clint Eastwood Sold his Soul too the Military Industrial Complex at some Weird Bohemian Grove Ceremony

[@peyton7683]

Being a sniper is not a coward move. It is war, if your'e involved, your'e fair game.

[@kellyoxo2818]

FLAGS OF OUR FATHER'S was his best movie, it is spot on. The truth about what people went through. My great-uncle returned home and had his heart ripped out by his own country.

[@spins321]

I can understand why Ben would think that being a sniper is relatively "safer" than being a grunt, but death rates for snipers are pretty high. The problem with the way snipers operate is that they are typically detached and isolated (2 man teams, usually), and in the scout role work in very small teams without readily available support. For example (just a small one), 6 snipers from my old battalion (3/25 MAR) were ambushed and killed, near a town called Hit in Iraq, which prompted a QRF that ended in more casualties. They were on patrol and ultimately were trapped on a hill. Other events occurred where teams were caught or ambushed on top of buildings doing over-watch and the like. It's just one of those things where it is what it is. Same thing happens with Marine Recon, Rangers, Navy Seals... small teams get jacked up when they're isolated and discovered.

[@QuickenedSand]

I'm glad Christy Lemire thinks Gran Torino was a bad film. It's super overrated, and liked by every white person I know. I found the plot extremely mundane and dreary, it's even worse because it's basically an extension of subplot from another film (exchanging Hispanics for Hmongs). I'm not Hmong, but whenever the title comes up in a conversation with my friends who are, they always complain about the inaccuracy in portraying them.

[@Amy_Penney1234]

I am glad that you are glad about someone disliking a film. Personal triumph for you!

[@QuickenedSand]

***** I'm glad that you are glad for me. I respect her opinion, so the fact that she agreed with me is a nice validation of my opinion, as she is someone who actually has credentials in the area.

[@Amy_Penney1234]

What are her credentials? Has she MADE a film? Has she WRITTEN A SCREENPLAY? Has she DIRECTED a film? Is she a CINEMATOGRAPHER? Anyone who needs to go to another person to validate their opinion on a film (after seeing it) or needs to look to "professional film critics" to decide whether or not a film us "worth" seeing is a sheep. And for those people who do not know how to make their own decisions about a film should be offered Gerber strained peas and a complimentary bib instead of popcorn before going to see it. I do not need anyone to validate my opinions on a film, and unless ANY of these people have made a film, I question their, "professional" status as a film critic. I have my own mind, as everyone else does, and everyone takes away something different from a film. All subjective.

[@Amy_Penney1234]

Howard Lockwood Anyway, I am bored with this conversation.

[@QuickenedSand]

To be an actual critic, you'd at least have to have a degree in journalism, which she does. She has an in-depth knowledge of filmography and cinematography, which surprise... all filmmakers have as well. There's a video somewhere that has Martin Scorcese teaching a college class about that. I may be a sheep, but her opinion does not sway mine, as I've had different opinions on other films. It simply makes me happy that with the case of Gran Torino, she and I share a similar mindset. I never liked that film, and I didn't know she didn't either. So the serendipitous revelation was a nice discovery. In your opinion, only filmmakers can decide if a film is good or bad. So point being, the opinion of everyone else who isn't a filmmaker is wrong or unimportant. Clumping yourself into the mix. There is a great difference between being entertained by a film and liking it, versus the actual film being good. For instance, I enjoy watching Batman and Robin, but it's an horrible movie. People are too closely attached to their personal feelings to understand that.

[@MordeaniisChaos]

The bias is clearly blocking an understanding of the character here from these folks. They have every right to believe what they believe and all, but it shocks me a bit to see them so ignorant of the reality. They believe that it would be wrong to be the way Chris Kyle was, and they are too COWARDLY to admit that, so instead they just gloss over it and pretend he was some troubled character. Chris Kyle had no issue with killing the enemy. He wasn't hiding his troubled interior with a rough and tumble, matter of fact exterior. He's a fucking Navy SEAL. You don't get to be a Navy SEAL without going through a transformation that takes you outside of the realm of your every day Joe. So much of the criticism of the film was just thinly veiled criticism of Chris Kyle's philosophy. And from a biased and poorly informed perspective at that. And assuming that Chris Kyle murdered a man for carrying a Quran because someone claiming to be that man's wife claimed that that man was carrying a Quran? What a load of bullshit. I hope you have more to back that up. Do I agree with every one of Chris Kyle's opinions? No. But I respect his ability to put those aside to serve his country and act as a moral man. If you want to take quotes out of context, make huge assumptions about his motivations (some of us really do just want to serve our country in the way that Kyle did, sorry if that breaks your Liberal minds, but it's a very real position to take. It doesn't mean Kyle wasn't a bit broken, it just means that isn't what caused the behavior you believe it did).

[@drrealitycheck1]

I just saw this film with a friend. Politically, I'm anti-war but not anti-warrior. The film was impressive to say the least. Even in his 80s, Clint Eastwood can make a better film than anyone else, whether he's directing the film or starring in it. Few living American actors or directors, if any, can come close to matching his career. The movie, based on the autobiography of Chris Kyle, the actual war hero portrayed in the film, was the best war movie I've seen since "From Here to Eternity" (I go back a ways). Some whiners have questioned it's authenticity, but given who made it and who wrote the book it was based on, I'll safely consider it totally authentic. From the very first battle scene, it was obvious this wasn't going to sugarcoat anything about what the Iraqi War was like and war in general. The actor, Bradley Cooper, was obviously the best man for the role. A real Triumph of a film. 

[@johnr8095]

This is why I hate Ben and Alonso. They can't let their politics go long enough to simply review movies.

[@brahsumatra]

They're your typical Liberal movie critics who don't have a clue.

[@Autonova]

They're reviewing a political movie that will be viewed by millions of people. Politics isn't (or shouldn't be) some trivial tribal hobby, it's a moral outlook on the world and a way to weigh up decisions that affect people. I'm glad they're aware of the politics and the morality of it, otherwise it might as well be a fictional movie.

[@johnr8095]

Autonova but I think they have a tendency to not like movies reflexively because they don't share the politics and this aren't reviewing the movie per se so much as the politics of the movie

[@P4DDYW4CK]

Reviewing movies is based on one's opinion, just like politics. Sometimes, adding your political views into a review on the content of the story is very necessary.

[@johnr8095]

He didn't kill innocent civilians just for the fun of it you moron.

[@OcihEvE]

I give this a 9.5 and I'd say you guys were over thinking a few aspects of the movie. The one aspect of the movie you guys mentioned I agree about was the time lapsing. From the Embassy bombings to 9/11 to Iraq, completely ignoring an Afghan invasion and a lot of other items.

[@Blacksparrow612]

What's the point of putting up SPOILER ALERT right as someone is telling the spoiler?

[@inthemix7640]

hey, guess what? people who go to war are still human. it doesn't make them perfect or not ever making a mistake. the point of the movie. he didn't mean to be on a pedestal for that reason.

[@jhock9171]

Eastwood's last great film is still Million Dollar Baby for me, though I do remember thinking Changeling was pretty good.

[@MrJoker3571]

I used to think that about MDB, until I saw Letters from Iwo Jima.

[@Melllllzy]

Little more notice on the spoiler please, ffs.

[@matthungry1511]

Enjoy that freedom that so many countries long for...

[@oeckstei]

One thing to keep in mind is that their was a recent statement made by Chris's father telling Clint Eastwood that he'd better portray his son in a positive light or at least not disrespect him. So is their the slightest chance that Clint Eastwood was holding back? Could this film incorporate more commentary on the ethics of war, more complexity of a soldier and the politics without much restriction if it wasn't completely based on a true story?

[@4g63mark]

I had to give this review a thumbs down because the commentators were too conflicted by their own political views to be impartial. Chris Kyle was a Republican fighting in an unpopular war, and this film is made by Clint Eastwood who is also VERY MUCH a Republican. Thankfully there are other reviews of this movie that are more accurate and less prejudicial.

[@ComradeBornath]

I respect Ben's position but there's nothing convenient or safe about killing people from afar with a sniper rifle.

[@contemplatively]

Let me say what Matt and Alonzo are trying to say: The movie does not show Chris Kyle for the racist bigot that he was. He constantly called Iraqis "savages", wanted to kill "anyone with a Qur'an", and had a crusader's cross tattoo. He was driven by both a sense of duty and a sense of hate. Also, the movie is based on Kyle's AUTObiography, which means he wrote it himself. Naturally, with so much hate in him, he's going to glorify the heck out of his unit and mock the heck out of the "savages" he was hunting from a distance. Therefore, of course the movie is going to gloss over his and his units' faults no matter how "objective" Clint Eastwood is trying to be - his source material is inherently flawed.

[@blackpanthro]

So as a disclaimer, I have not seen this movie, and I havent finished the book ( about two-thirds through) With that being said, would you say Chris Kyle is hero or a victim?

[@jeremymaynard5765]

Chris was a soldier and should get nothing but respect. If more of you critics and bloggers were even a fraction of the man he was, then just maybe youd pull your head out of your #*# and honor the man they made the movie about and the men who do what you couldn't.

[@michellemcloughlin787]

What Chris Kyle did in Iraq protected his country and it was his job. However, it is well known (since he himself wrote a book about his experiences) that he did not like the Iraqi people and had little care for their lives. This makes him a patriot for his country since he risked his life but that does not make him the perfect person. While the movie was good with great performances, I do not think they captured the true man. They captured the part of the man everyone wanted to see instead of the accurate portrayal of who he really was.

[@BurnNotice2023]

The movie whitewashed Chris because the family wouldn't have allowed it otherwise and his father made that known to Clint Eastwood. It comes down to, would you rather have this movie in some form or not have it at all?

[@OttoServe]

Spoiler Alert came WAY too late. Thanks......

[@djosephj]

People who have never been under fire talkin' shit about a guy on overwatch. Nice.

[@mikeymilana9992]

The part with the letter I understood, the point was never giving up. When his friend wrote that letter it was like he was planning his own death. A soldier never gives up they fight and fight and fight until it's over they never surrender. That was his problem with the letter, it may seem irrational to is but to a soldier in that mindset it's not.

[@aboynamedjayy]

Four people that know nothing about the stress and pressure of war bashing a very well directed and acted film. Just fyi there isn't anything cowardly about snipers, they make some of the most difficult decisions and save many lives. There is a reason we don't line up in front of our enemy.. war isn't civil, it's not a gentlemans game. War is dirty, it's emotional.. people that think like you are the reason many innocent are killed.

[@wanbawmcgraw3022]

Since when are Invictus and Gran Torino bad films?

[@DeviWolf22]

so this was a pro-gun fanatic who died because he took a man with PTSD to a gun range and was shot by the disturbed man....why are we giving him a movie where he's made out to be a hero?

[@MegaMoose1989]

He was a hero but also a pathological liar.

[@1320crusier]

Also, not every mental issue from the battlefield is PTSD. The character exhibited survivor's guilt. There are MANY service members that are wracked with guilt because they could be there for their guys. More than a couple have said they are haunted by those they couldnt save.

[@MrJoker3571]

Other than Bradley's performance, sound design, film editing (only in war sequences), and that idea of every time Chris picks up a sniper & gets ready to pull the trigger (deciding whether or not to kill someone), he slowly has PTSD; all of which were great. The rest seemed a bit unfocused; it had interesting ideas to open up with (the Olympian sniper, his team, etc.), but it never finished those ideas properly. Like the Mustafa; I really wished we could explore what it was like for him to go out & (in his own way) hunt down the enemy, just like how it was with Chris Kyle's character. Or the fact that when Kyle's team are like, "what they killed our team member, let's go back into the heart of the lion". If you bring that in your movie, I feel like you have to also bring in who those people are as a team (like introduce them when Kyle meets them for the first time). & i know people may not want a 2 and a half hr. or 3 hr. film; it's fine by me as long as you finish your ideas you present to us in a proper way.

[@TheLivewire18]

For future reference, when you guys do a spoiler alert, give the alert and wait a second. A lot of times you are already halfway through the spoiler before the viewer even gets a chance to pause it. I give you a pass on this because it's based on a true story, but still, for those who don't know the real life story, it would be nice to say, "oh spoiler alert" give a couple of seconds, and then start talking about the spoiler. You probably will never see this comment , but just my two cents.

[@DreDaDon16]

I liked this movie a lot man, Cooper is amazing and the war scene are some of the best I've seen

[@TheBlockIsland]

As a Vietnam Veteran and Recon Marine I submit thatThere's nothing more admirable, brave, strong, beautiful, dedicated to freedom and peace and justice than our badass military in America. I know the sacrifices they endure every moment. I know the horror they see. I know the trauma they experience. Our soldiers are humans on a higher spiritual platform. Although every person in the Military heroically lays down life and limb for the Godly goals of freedom, liberty, and public safety there are way too many selfish, ignorant Americans whose eyes and hearts are infested with weak life values as well as self serving foreign agendas that lead to corruption of freedom and death to our basic rights as humans who embrace democracy and the choice to free speech and peace. May shame and loathing haunt the fool who has anything derogatory to express towards our precious soldiers. May God bless them forever---as well as our heroic snipers

[@bbanksy1]

You say your soldiers fight for rights, liberty and freedom of speech. Its not doing much good because your Government takes away your own liberties and freedoms on a daily basis in the name of keeping you safe. Its looks like youve been fed a lot of patriotic BS to have you believe that you are superior and on another level as you say, until you meet a worthy opponent that is. Being a Vietnam Vet, you should know that because that was a complete failure at a cost of over 50,000 dead and 350,000 wounded young Americans who were left at the curb when it was finished. Will you still think that way when you take on a Russia or a China and see a half a million of your soldiers killed in battle?

[@TheBlockIsland]

I had a whole Recon team wiped out in Vietnam.. do not propose to lecture a warrior. I would not want to be in a foxhole with you. I would be dead! At least I am willing to risk my life for something that I believe in, and you turn valor into a cheap punch line. I am sorry for your elitist chicken-shit ass!

[@bbanksy1]

***** No need for name calling, and no I wouldnt have been in the trenches with you so you dont have to worry, Im not American. The writing is clearly on the wall now on why wars are created and fought. They make huge profits for a select few while middle class and poor are told to fight their battles for them. Did Johnson or Nixon have any of their kids in the trenches? Vietnam was a false flag right from the beginning with the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Did Johnson really have the people of South Vietnam on his agenda? Or the lucrative Heroin trade? Lies and more lies cost a half a million Americans either death or physical and mental harm. Then they were forgotten about afterwards by the ones they fought for? Thats too bad you lost comrades out there, they were innocent as were you not knowing the real truth why you were in that horrible place. The Iraqi war is also based on lies and false intel about WMD so the same happens again. Innocent soldiers dying becasue they are lied to and trained to think they are there for a noble reason like protecting their people 3500 miles away. Believe me Im no chicken shit when it comes to peoples rights, freedoms, and the truth but when your Government lies to you, Id tell them to fight their own wars themselves.

[@TheBlockIsland]

You are from a third rate nation.. now I get it! Don't waste my time loser!

[@Dmgolfer22]

He was never safely shooting other people from a distance. Once he shot he and his team were in a defensive stance. And yes a lot of people joined the military after 9/11 just to get justice and payback.

[@nicholaswesolek6178]

People who know anything about this Chris Kyle, or simply war, realize that his comment, on his friend being dead the second he wrote the letter, was entirely true. We all have the right to our opinion and to vocalize said opinion. That is a right both those men fought for, and I am grateful to both of them for it. So do not mistake my tone, I am grateful and I admire his friend, but I am also honest. When you are a soldier in country, by questioning your reason for being there, you lose an intangible sense that keeps you alive. The sense that what you are doing is just, allows a soldier to be able to put up with the wretched conditions around him or her. The second his friend wrote that letter, he lost that intangible. He lost his reason for being there and simply did not want to be in country anymore. He had become so engulfed in this ideal that he let his guard down, that is why he died. It is not an easy thing to do, live in country and watch friends die yet still keep an iron will. The fact is it is almost impossible, but the ones who can suppress those thoughts and emotions go home alive more often than those who don't.

[@farmrrick]

What these guys don't get is that he was an the elite soldier . His job was not to constantly mull over whether the war was just or not . Vietnam seems pointless today but many went and did their best because they were asked .

[@Ch33no]

Let's not forget you cowards are judging the life of a HERO who's seen thing that would make you shit your pants and pass out..... God bless all men and women that put their lives in harms way to protect our freedoms!

[@charlesa.1016]

I like how when the credits rolled and everyone is just quiet when they leaved.

[@BRADYSMITH8395]

I don't like how people call snipers cowards. He wasn't really safe. He was still shot at multiple times. But I don't want to argue. My main point I want to bring up is that to me this movie improved upon a second viewing. The first time I liked it but the drama felt tacked on in places. The second time it registered as more integral to the story and moving. Don't know why but it did. Definitely think it deserved a best picture nom now. First time I wasn't so sure but now I think it did and am glad it did

[@Strengththroughloyalty]

Matt's comments make no sense, I mean did hie intentionally watch the movie after deciding you didn't like Chris Kyle?? You obviously wanted to see whatever you wanted to see, not what was intended...

[@shmoriy]

Do they point out in the film that the guy was a pathological liar?

[@amandastrozier4062]

"I remember one woman walking by," said Jason Washburn, a corporal in the US Marines who served three tours in Iraq. He told the audience at the Winter Soldier hearings that took place March 13-16, 2008, in Silver Spring, Maryland, "She was carrying a huge bag, and she looked like she was heading toward us, so we lit her up with the Mark 19, which is an automatic grenade launcher, and when the dust settled, we realized that the bag was full of groceries. She had been trying to bring us food and we blew her to pieces." article on truth-out.org

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

One of the best movies in the last 10 years.

[@noahsmiley6208]

I watched American Sniper, Im Christian, and I have lots of respect towards Chris Kyle. Yes lethal, yes he killed lots, but his underlying cause to kill was to eliminate a force that killed thousands in NYC 9/11 His kills had meaning, theirs wasn't. His intention was to protect his fellow members, as well as country. Theirs was to kill innocent lives. Movie was great BTW. Bradley cooper was great.

[@Jerry-zf3ip]

"most deadliest sniper" COME ON BEN!

[@Ytremz]

At first I didn't understand the near overwhelming amount of dislikes. Then I heard a few criticisms regarding certain US military personnel. *At that point in time, I immediately understood.*

[@Buceesfanmaarten]

I'm dutch but I salute Chris Kyle. You sir are a true hero, thank you for defending the US, europe, and the rest of the world.

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

Overall, I thought this movie was kinda boring. I know the book was their source material, but glossing over everything surrounding his death with a title card was also a missed opportunity...

[@keanuisaac470]

Maybe some of you should read his book. Just like the book Lone Survivor you should be able to see that Mr. Kyle and Mr. Lutrell are great Americans. They aren't the bad stories that you see and read in the news. They are not the injustices that various agencies of ours commit. They are guys that would gladly write that blank check to Uncle Sam. They bleed red, white and blue. I think they truly love and care about this country to it's core and I think the critics should at least give them that.

[@bigcomcast]

Going to see the movie but just a point about about being safe around PTSD patients.He did everything wrong never take a PTSD vet to a gun range until you know how they are going to react.Eddie Ray Routh was on 8 different drugs including lithium and Zoloft in the words of Hunter S Thompson." You can turn your back on a person, but you never turn your back on a drug."

[@klefusmcdonald2644]

Murder by definition is pre-meditated. In Chris Kyle's defense to your accusation, Kyles says he killed in defense of american soldiers and allies, both from in and out of that region. And since when does a man endure rigorous navy seal training to obtain a distinguished position as a "cowardly seal sniper"? A total disrespectful comment by the gentleman on the far left. I understand that the country is divided as far as the war goes, but please do not belittle our armed forces members.

[@Icemanactual]

So that guy thinks that it was unrealistic that in the Movie Chris saw "some bombings and signed up."? What the fuck? I leave to Marine boot camp in April for basically the same reasons as Chris signed up in the movie. And guys I know quit college after 9/11 to join up specifically for those "some explosions". Instead of being humbled by these men he just shrugs? I don't think these things where rushed. Like when he walks into the recruiting office and doesn't really know what he wants to do, he just wants to serve. I had a big smile on my face because that's exactly how people I know went in their recruiters offices. Anyway, as far as the end of the movie where Chris is killed, I actually think they did a fine job with it. They let it out so abruptly that Chris was killed while treating the PTSD victim because it WAS abrupt in real life. It was a shock...it was sudden..they didn't need to 'play it out' anymore than they did in the Movie. Maybe it was rushed, but it was in the right way imo. Some of the gaps actually make me want to read the book even more as if there is still so much to learn about 'The Legend'. And some of the criticism from these guys has to do with the war effort itself...? But that's not what the movie is about..it's about the man. Missing the point much?

[@ejs1195]

His argument that shooting from a distance is cowardly is just plain wrong. 95% of warfare nowadays and since like 1850 shooting from afar. Drone Strikes, rocket launchers, etc. The days where two men stood back to back and took ten steps and started shooting each other is over. You and anyone else is entitled your opinion but I urge you to take up this principle, blame the politicians not the soldiers.

[@tmul1317]

So as a veteran this movie is guilty of some hero worship but great story telling as always from Clint but the ending in Theaters horrified me 90% of the audience gasped when it said he died which as any follower of current events should know and the amount of money this movie made showed the advertising was on point but people are gonna take the hero worship of this film and take it as fact I just wish the movie was more honest

[@Bak3dB3an]

whoever makes a story like this about a soldier on the other side is brave.

[@DeerLodgeBlog]

Fact of the matter is, if you get into a fair fight in the military, someone fucked up.

[@easysnake205]

Just for the record snipers probably have one of the most risky jobs in the american military. Jobs with less risk: Almost any job on a naval ship that doesnt involve leaving the ship Weapon specialists, guys who service naval warplanes, guys who operated the and maintain the ships, Nuclear engineers on nuclear aircraft carrier/ nuclear subs, etc (American warships are very advanced) Tank Crews (American tanks are very advanced compared to most of the nations we are likely to engage) Almost any job in the airforce (with the obvious exception of rescue crews and special forces like combat controllers) American Warplanes are similarly advanced Christopher Scott "Chris" Kyle was a United States Navy SEAL and the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history with 160 confirmed kills out of 255 probable kills. He probably had a lot of bigoted ideas about arabs by the time his tour in the military ended. I know my grandfather had a lot of hate for japanese people by the time he finished his service in WW2, and sadly carried these ideas with him for the rest of his life. Its hard to think objectively about groups of people that are trying to kill you and have killed people you love and consider brothers. Sniper's especially SEAL snipers are used for a lot of reconnaissance missions, which are some of the most dangerous the american military asks soldiers to perform.

[@JozieLeePro]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for the review. For me, Clint Eastwood is a hit or miss so since Million Dollar Baby I usually miss his films. This one sounds intriguing.

[@idawg7332]

As much as I liked this movie I thinks it's sad that it made over 500 million dollars while Selma didn't even get to 100 million. Dr. Kings life deserves the same amount of attention if not more attention than Chris Kyle's

[@owengoodvin4091]

I don't agree at all with these people, as usual they have to over analyze movies. This is an awesome movie, one of the best movies I've seen in along time. Bradley cooper is amazing. Also to Chris Kyle, he is a true hero and believed in what he was doing, not only for his country but the world. Thank You Chris

[@alasdairboswell4654]

Politics aside; it's decently directed, has a solid performance, the cinematography is okay, and it's got well made battle scenes. However, Kyle's character isn't fully fleshed out, it's at times dramatically awkward, and it's poorly edited.

[@averylenox6263]

I just want to make one thing clear, it is only a spoiler alert if you warn people before you give away the story not afterwards.

[@nickstoli]

Agree with Ben or not, the man's got cajones.

[@ben6720]

Cowardly sniping? I would like to see you do anything that Chris did.

[@Rawr8987]

This was a very interesting review. The comments section is split down the middle as well...

[@JRCruz-px5wc]

With remarks that refer to snipers being cowards and shooting makes me think you don't understand the role. We prep our battle field and fight with our overwatch. The same people that say they don't like how manypeople have been killed fail to realize that snipers save lives. We use air, IDF, long range weapons, and machine guns to help keep our casualty rate lower.

[@TheCultureCommentary]

The sniper debate is stupid beyond understanding.... When one side has swords and the other side have spears, Is it cowardly to have swords cause they are made by metal or is it cowardly to have spears cause they are longer? When one side has 20 soldiers and the other has 200 soldiers. Is it couragous for the 200 to not send away 180 so both groups are equal in numbers? OMG my head hurts just from knowing people talking this stupid exists.

[@jfrsnjhnsn]

The only thing that bothers me about Chris Kyle is that he came home and let himself be courted by FOX News.

[@ummglick]

He joined up to fight for the power that has him under their control.

[@poolshark1438]

Safety of a sniper position? What! If you read the book or knew anything most of these "safe" sniper positions are in the middle of combat zones while your completely surrounded by the enemy and as it even says in the book some of the buildings he used as a position were co and I mean co-occupied by the enemy because they had to stealthily sneak past the enemy to their "safe" position! Not to mention snipers are trained to either solely or in a two man team to stalk into a shooting position take a shot and ex-filtrate all while being behind enemy lines, Please!

[@thecartoonfaxuator6878]

So these four people gave a war film some pretty fair scores in the matter of speaking, and everyone in the comments sections is bringing up political information that doesn't belong here. I don't hate war films, in fact anyone who is able to make a war film and get good reivews, no matter how high or low, has my deepest respects. Making war films is always going to be controversial, no matter the country, because the general audience will always try involve something that doesn't belong in a truthful review or comment. Whether it be their personal politics, or their opinion on the government. I'm happy I'm a guy that lives by common logic, and does his best to walk the middle path, because guys like me don't have to feel split or confused on subjects like this one. We just take in what we just saw and experienced, and do our best to move on with our lives, instead of going on the interent and trying to start potential fights that might not even have a purpose towards them.

[@AlexAceves1994]

Gran Torino was the best movie of the year! Don't even say it's terrible!

[@andyvideos082380]

This movie did not make me believe the Iraq war was right or wrong. It simply tells the story of all our veterans who whether we justify it or not serve their country and follow the mission. I had an opportunity to also read the book. Chris and every veteran do not have to justify this conflict to me they served their country the fact he happened to kill 160 plus insurgents or people who were trying to harm our troops is brutal and hard to see but essential to show what Chris reflected in countless interviews. War is brutal as a civilian I can watch all the war movies i want but can I understand the moral conflicts these young men and women have to weigh and encounter.

[@BrennFilm]

Please add *** SPOILER *** in the title. It showed in subtitle, but the moment I read it... I heard it. Thanks for nothing.

[@venomsilver1984]

i am the person who despises the military and all the war and shit but i did like this movie because it was really accurate my father was a us army navy seal my dad was effected the same way chris kyle was for example in the movie when he was in the therapist office he didnt count his kills he counted the men he has lost so in my opinion this is a good movie

[@bennycostello2472]

Best qoute we have in this review''shooting from a distance is cowardly'' I forgot, crashing planes into buildings full of thousands of innocent people is what the brave do.

[@roaches23]

The movie was badly made. I mean when Bradley Cooper picks a baby you can easily tell that its fake baby. Or the rival sniper looked crazy feminine with those curly eyelashes. Stuff like that just took me out the movie. The action scenes reminded me of the Nazi sniper movie from Inglorious Basterds.

[@jhock9171]

I thought Letters From Iwo Jima was a pretty terrible attempt to show things from the Japanese perspective. I'd recommend The Battle of Okinawa by Kihachi Okamoto as a significantly more compelling look at the conflict from Japan's side.

[@MetaI4Brains]

Does the movie accurately portray how crazy Chris Kyle was?

[@thatsameenergy]

I'm sorry but to call a sniper a coward and how they are shooting from a safe position is ridiculous and goes to show how once again the young Turks and their view points are flawed and sometimes uninformed. Snipers in almost all cases are ahead of their units, further into enemy territory and put themselves into harms way in sometimes the worst ways with just two to three people just to provide overwatch or pop one shot off. There is no cowardice in being a sniper. There is skill, determination, and true grit. Chris kyle may have told a tall tale or two, but one thing is for certain. He is a true American war hero that deserves the prestige he's received. Love him or hate him, he was no coward.

[@LTxStriker]

"Snipers are cowardly...." Are you fucking kidding me

[@TheIsh1988]

Nice to see Eastwood finally make a war movie....

[@DeerLodgeBlog]

Dude that shot Chris Kyle most likely didn't suffer from PTSD.

[@JohnBlackMD]

The dude was a murderer, at best.

[@BlondeManNoName]

Do they show his assassination in the movie?

[@Kshaka]

In all honesty, I didn't know Chris Kyle Died until i watched this review.

[@RykComerford]

You can like a movie even if you disagree with the politics. Like I did with Oliver Stone's Platoon and Salvador. Almost this whole video is about the politics, not filmmaking.

[@chadblaha69]

Killing cowardly from the safety or a sniper positon!? Chris wasn't deer hunting he was in a hostile war zone where the enemy figured out real fast where you were after the shots were fired. If you want to talk "cowardly " address the guys using women and children to fight in there place. Chris or any of the guys of his caliber would go toe to toe face to face with the enemy if they could but that's not how war is fought. You guys say his kills were cowardly . I say cowards send women and children on suicide missions in. Buy the way the enemy has snipers to.