Great film, somewhat tainted by political and philosophical perspectives

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2015)

I have to say, straight off the bat, I loved the acting in this movie. Bradley Cooper is excellent, completely different to any of his previous roles. There's a lot to be said for a film with the quality of acting on display, and I personally believe it deserves the awards it received.
Storyline: Very well done, the style and back-and-forth portrayal is really appropriate, I ended up feeling like the story was well- nurtured and that I really got a chance to get to know Chris Kyle throughout the movie. I hope the portrayal is true to the man.
Action: Excellent. Very well shot, fast-paced without being blurry or confusing, really crisp sniper shooting scenes, and tense moments, along with some big decisions that as a viewer I found myself "along for the ride" with.
Cons: The on screen rapport between Cooper and Miller feels a little forced at times. It's not a deal breaker though, it just doesn't feel like they have a great connection.
Overall feelings: Really enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend the film to anyone who wants to see a good action film, with some strong human and moral elements. I sat entertained for the entirety of the movie, and I think Clint Eastwood has shown his ability to make a great movie yet again.
On an aside, I think anyone viewing this from the perspective of political or philosophical terms is really running the movie into the ground. It's a humanistic story, about an interesting and significant person, who you get invited to know throughout its telling. He deals with human issues and it shows you that journey. This isn't a film that stands on a pedestal and seeks to preach to people as to the ethical implications of war. It isn't trying to make a political statement, it's just telling a soldier's tale accurately. I'm not American and I don't feel any allegiance to the country or its actions or political stances, but I did greatly enjoy this story and the portrayal of the main character in it. I wouldn't agree with everything that character stands for or the things he would say or believe in, but regardless of that, he's a very real character and I appreciate that aspect.
I give the film 10/10 because its pacing was superb, it never drags, the action is great, and the acting is top-notch. A really great film that I'll definitely watch again in the future.