Tribute to Hero Chris Kyle (R.I.P.)

Rating: 7/10 (26 April 2015)

Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper" (2015) is similar to 2014's "Lone Survivor" in that they're both straight war flicks based on true stories, the former taking place in Iraq and the latter in Afghanistan. While these movies are similar in theme, tone and quality, I give "American Sniper" the edge.
Most reading this realize that Kyle was murdered in 2013, along with Chad Littlefield, as they were helping some piece of sheet with his post-traumatic stress disorder. In February, 2015, the scumbag was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Since "American Sniper" is about a recent American hero with, by far, the most kills of any American sniper in history (on record, that is), it's obviously pro-American and, consequently, indirectly ant-liberal. As such, the film gets raves from conservatives and utter loathing from far-left types. (Why a loony leftist would even want to see a movie like this is puzzling. Who goes to a movie they know they won't like? Which goes to show that many of the leftists who give "American Sniper" the absolute lowest rating didn't even view it). As for me, I don't evaluate movies based upon their patriotism or political leanings; I grade them according to their quality, the most important thing being whether or not the movie is compelling. Someone can make a movie that perfectly agrees with my perspective on life, but if it's mediocre, unimaginative and boring then it's not a good movie and I'll say so.
That said, I found "American Sniper" worthwhile because it's the first movie I've seen to offer a first-hand look at what it was like to fight in Iraq. Bradley Cooper is very convincing as the humble yet resilient Kyle. So this is a solid war flick that somewhat addresses the negative effects of war and it's sure to please (particularly) conservative/patriotic types, but it lacks that special perspective or flair that marks great war films, like "Apocalypse Now," "Platoon," "Fury," "The Thin Red Line," "Where Eagles Dare," "Glory," "Ride with the Devil," "All Quiet on the Western Front," "The Young Lions" and "Paths of Glory."
The film runs 132 minutes and was shot in Morocco and Southern California.
GRADE: B