Inspector Harry takes on Iraq

Rating: 1/10 (20 February 2015)

American is a highly detestable film with not one single redeeming feature. The so-called 'hero' is depicted as a simple-minded good for nothing who can only find a goal and a bit of excitement in his empty life when he kills Iraqis in their own country, generally safely hidden on a rooftop - and he does not really know why. All Iraqis are depicted as one-dimensional, cowardly, cunning, double-crossing characters who betray their guests, families, and fellow-countrymen.
Kyle himself does not undergo the slightest change over the 2 hours of the film - he never asks himself a single question. He only suffers bouts of PTSD which are supposed to raise compassion among the spectators but of course no compassion should be felt for the 200 Iraqi citizens he has ruthlessly executed.
Let us now imagine the reverse situation. Let us imagine an Iraqi film called 'Iraqi sniper' in which the hero carries a copy of the Quran and takes random shots at US soldiers invading his country. Then the film would be booed and hissed, unanimously rejected as a shameful instrument of Islamic propaganda and the main character would be called a terrorist. Yet, a half-wit who shoots a fawn at age 8 and a child 25 years later is hailed as a hero. This is truly baffling.
American Sniper feels like the good old 80's again, with a simplistic Reaganian/Rambo II/Inspector Harry ideology. Even the cinematography seems to be stuck in a time warp with not one single interesting shot or angle. The director has obviously gone past his sell-by date. He should watch and get some inspiration from The Hurt Locker or Black Hawk Down and the likes. Or just retire. How the same director can come up with Gran Torino and then with this hagiography of a nitwit is truly mind boggling.