Boring, episodic movie

Rating: 6/10 (5 July 2015)

Unlike many reviewers (most of them paid film critics), I will try to separate my personal animosity to US policies in the Middle East from my measure of the artistic merit of "American Sniper".
My wife insisted on us watching "American Sniper," then lost interest in the first hour. Most of the truly engaging, emotional scenes are revealed in the trailers. What comes in between those engaging moments are detached episodes chronicling Chris Kyle's tours in Iraq. I admire Kyle for his personal code. However, I did not admire Kyle's inability to question the policies of those under whom he served, even when director Clint Eastwood slyly presents evidence to motivate Kyle to do so. What Eastwood does fail to do is provide a subtle transition from extroverted "good old boy" to extreme introvert; whom, in his wife's words, is "not here". However, I doubt any director could have done so, given the absence of such scenes in the screenplay.
This being said, while Sienna Miller is very good, Bradley Cooper, as "Chris Kyle" is nothing short of extraordinary. I cannot imagine another acted who could have done it better.
Without revealing the end of the movie (which is ridiculous, given it is "old news"), let me say it is perfectly appropriate. Chris Kyle paid the appropriate price for using his skills to help the wrong people.
I give "American Sniper" a "6".