The Most Divisive War Film I've Seen

Rating: 10/10 (30 April 2016)

On just the first page, I've counted more negative reviews for this film than I've heard from my friends when discussing this film. All of us have come to a consensus that this film is one of our favorites, while IMDb, it seems, has decided to discuss politics and take small scenes as major deciding factors regarding the quality of the film instead of, oh, I don't know, remember that this is just one account of it.
Chris Kyle is one of the most decorated SEALs in US history because of what all he did, and the novel (or at least what of it I've read thus far) is his personal account (what he can share of it at least) of what it was like being in Iraq. Many thus far have debated that this film makes Chris Kyle seem like an inhuman killing machine with no regard for human life. My counter-argument to this is simple; have you tried talking to somebody after they came back from Iraq? It isn't easy. One of our neighbors is in the Navy, and it took weeks, if not months for him to adjust back to life in the states. In that sense, I think it's very legitimate for Kyle to seem a little bit off and more at home in Iraq than in his actual home with his wife. In that sense, Bradley Cooper is one of the best actors I've ever seen. He portrays his role with respect while still having a hell of a performance. Hell, I'd argue that Cooper as Kyle is one of the best casting choices I've ever seen. It's equal parts human and killer.
People have questioned the realism of having a cell phone in combat. To this, I ask "Have you read the book?" If I remember correctly, this scene was fairly true to the novel. People point out the scene Kyle has with his brother as being flat, to which... yeah, I agree that there's no connection between the two. Even so, it's a two minute scene. It hardly drags down the film to levels of trash matched only by films such as "Spawn" and "Garbage Pail Kids." The last scene people hate is the ending half-hour. In my own opinion, as that is what all reviews are, just opinions, the last combat scene was one of the most engaging scenes I recall seeing. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire thing. When he finally went back home and readjusted back to his normal life, it was too close to home for me. When he died, I think Eastwood did the only thing he could to treat it with dignity; show news reports and pictures of the funeral. If you know how to direct that better, then why didn't you direct the film?
At the risk of being one of the most hated people on IMDb, I loved American Sniper. It was a realistic story of what it was like in Iraq, while telling it from the angle of one of the most recognizable servicemen this side of Grant or Eisenhower. It was well directed, well told, and generally did everything right. If I wanted to debate the politics of the war, I wouldn't do it here, I'd go to debate.com. If I wanted to know what he was really like, I'd read his book. If I wanted to watch a damn good film about a US hero that treated him with respect, then I'd watch this film. R.I.P. Chief Special Warfare Operator Chris Kyle. Groundhog's Day / my birthday will never be the same again.