this is the ANTI-WAR-IS-FUN movie.

Rating: 9/10 (16 January 2015)

Today we went to see the newly released movie directed by Clint Eastwood, 'American Sniper.' The title of the movie is perceived differently right off out of the gate by different folks, a division that exists in life, and not just in the movies. There is the anti-cop, anti- military, and anti-patriot view, and it is here where the title irks the seer of such words and as such goes straight to "BUT" point of view. The BUT point of view is where the party in question makes a statement followed by the word "BUT" and everything before the "BUT" is a lie. I support the military BUT, I support the cops BUT I am a patriot BUT, and on and on ad nauseam. Well I have good news for all concerned, this not a movie about war, a movie about heroes, a movie about politics, or where killing is a game of enjoyment as seen in most kids bedrooms at night playing video games that do just that, beyond the roaming eyes of the "BUT" adults in the household of said children, who do develop the view that war is fun  this is the ANTI-WAR-IS- FUN movie.
This movie is a story told without agenda and based on facts written in a book by the subject of the movie, Chris Kyle. When I say facts I mean the story of Chris, the war facts are his and the directors opinion of course used as the vehicle to tell Chris Kyle's story  not a hero story, not a worshipping story, but the story of living through the hell of war. The curse of being titled "Hero" and "The Legend" and all that comes with such words in this world. One of my friends John W. Finn, the first recipient of the Medal of Honor  the "BUT" folks almost say the "Winner of the Medal of Honor"  John beat me down for uttering those words! He would say, "this is not a game, not something that you can win, and anyone who every tried to win one died!" A recipient of the MOH was in the wrong place at the wrong time and some officer saw it, then the curse came, and it never leaves you, ever! John said the heroes are still buried in graves around the world, and the lucky ones who made it do not think of themselves as heroes. They like to leave that title to the TV Commercials where everyone who does anything they are supposed to are do are called heroes, moms who feed their kids, someone who shows up for work on time, etc. The vets don't care, as long as you don't call them, the survivors, Heroes!
I know that a lot of people can't fathom the thought that some people naturally are protectors and feel a duty to do so. Protect their family, protect their loved ones, protect their home, and to protect to their country. Today that is out of style and looked down upon as the morning risers read about our troops being killed the day before, cops be assassinated, and they turn the page without thought to the stock market or funnies page and finish their second cup of coffee. They loathe this morality or character flaw that they do possess and do their best if they are in a position to do so, the death of a thousand cuts to take them down. This is the story of Chris Kyle, and upon his return home the battle to protect or to adjust, as the aforementioned world goes on in his head even if not in his current reality; the past is just a thing of time and space, and in some of these protectors head there is no separation between the two. This is the war this movie is about. It is not about the killing, banners, and politics, but real life in our world where war is a constant since the first caveman discovered the club.
This film is the best example of film making this year. Clint Eastwood who makes films like this without politics is judged by politics and I am afraid will NOT win the Best Film nomination for that reason, the personal politics of Clint and not his work and his art. He has a skill and style of story telling that makes you feel, Bridges of Madison County, Flags of our Fathers, the Unforgiven, and now American Sniper. This is film making that reaches into your heart and rips at the fiber of your humanity at its very core. If you don't want your children to grow up wanting to go the war, as the fun of war in some video games is where this may lead them; let them see this film if they are mature and almost to military age  they may have a change of heart. Like most World War Two veterans, who are the best anti-war folks you can find, this reality may save their lives.
Although I am not an on the ground, in country war veteran, my background on the streets gave me one emotional  and this movie IS EMOTIONAL  connection with one thing Chris Kyle said, when he said when he was asked about how he felt afterwards about saving so many by another character in the movie, Chris replied, "I feel bad about the ones that I could not save." This made my heart burst, as that is something that is haunting when the night devours the day.