http://variety.com/2015/film/opinion/a-veterans-view-of-american-sniper-guest-column-1201406349/

quote:

---

I've seen just about every film about the Iraq War ever made. I've produced and associate produced a few. I even appeared in one (for about a millisecond). And without a doubt, "American Sniper" is the single best work of film about the Iraq War ever made.

Now, it's not the most complex film. Not the deepest film. Not even the most provocative. But in terms of storytelling, action, emotion, production and performance, attention to detail and especially the frighteningly accurate soundscape, there's been nothing else close that's been made since my platoon entered the war in Iraq in 2003. It's a cinematic bull's-eye.

---

+1

I listened to the audio book during a recent trip. I can't say I found it interesting half way through....so didn't keep it going . Seemed like another rehash of Latrell's first few chapters. I did like the writing style going back to his wife every now and then to show her side of the story.

Looking forward to the movie. But I was late on this book.

Somehow, TexAgs just ate my lengthy post so... here are the highlights (probably better this way).

• Movie opens on Thursday, Jan. 22nd in Australia so I'll let you know what I think after I've seen it.
• In the trailer, Bradley Cooper looks and sounds just like my first Abrams Tank Crew Gunner from Granbury, TX
• I think it's important that as many Americans as possible see these films so they can understand what our service members have been doing for the past 13+ years
• I hope more SEALs, Soliders, Marines, Airmen, etc. tell their stories (about something other than the Osama bin Ladin raid)
• I hope the DVD Extras are as good as the ones were for "Lone Survivor"

Thanks jonLobb: We saw the movie Saturday morning. Every seat sold out. The movie was riveting and compelling. Its overwhelming box-office success is a phenom. My son is finishing up Basic Combat Training. Can't wait to see the movie again with him.

Just got home from seeing the movie in a 90%+ full theater on opening night.
The movie was good. Maybe even great. I'll have to watch it again to determine that.

Without giving away anything in the movie, (I'm not an Iraq or Afghanistan vet but...) I thought it did a good job of showing some of the tough decisions that had to be made quickly and the general confusion that would exist on the battlefield under fire in this kind of scenario.

I'm highly critical of Hollywood's frequent less than flattering portrayal of Texas and Texans. I think they did a great job of making Bradley Cooper portray Chris Kyle. Speech, phrases, etc. were all very believable right down to the can of Copenhagen. Not so sure about the Lone Star beer but after watching the "True Detective" series, it looks like Lone Star must be making a big product placement play. I read a little bit from IMDB stating the massive amount of effort that Bradley Cooper put into preparing for the role. It paid off.

The movie was so inviting and compelling all the way through that when it got to the end (and I think we all know how it ends) I couldn't believe that I'd been sitting there for over 2 hours. I felt like they could go on for a few more hours. So maybe it was a great movie.

Anyway, the initial criticisms I read online (before I decided to stop reading anything about it until I saw the movie) proved to be much ado about nothing. Fake baby - so what. If that the best they can come up with to discredit the movie, job well done. And the use of the word "Savages" - it was appropriately used except for 1 instance where it seemed like strange dialogue.

After watching the movie, I think I definitely need to read the book because it seemed like there were a lot of things that moved too quickly or were glossed over that are probably elaborated on in the book.

Long story short is that it was one $20 movie ticket well spent. (yes, the prices for movies are ridiculous in Australia which I guess makes the 90% full theater even more impressive)

Went to see it the first weekend here in Bryan. Packed house was almost totally silent upon exiting the theater - in awe of the movie overall or in reverence of Chris' memory specifically. Not an Iraq/Afghan vet but did 36 years around the world. Knew lots of folks who were in and out of country. I think it is spot on accurate of what they experienced, even from what few spinners that I met and debriefed after tours.
CAPT (IDWO) USN (Ret)