Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper excellently bring to life the true story of Chris Kyle.

Rating: 9/10 (2 April 2016)

Under Clint Eastwood's brilliant direction, he brings to life the late Chris Kyle's novel to the big screen with Bradley Cooper perfectly cast in the titular role. While American Sniper has attracted a lot of acclaim, it has also attracted a lot of controversy with some dismissing it as propaganda, glorifying the Iraq War and labeling Chris Kyle as unheroic for murdering others for his country. All of these criticisms are unwarranted and unjust. That aside the movie is the main reason for this review, the politics and arguments are not the point of this review.
Having previously read the novel American Sniper, I was drawn into Chris Kyle's world as a US Navy SEAL sniper and amongst the many true life novels about the war, this was one of the best novels that I have ever read and I was eagerly anticipating the release of the movie which certainly did not disappoint one bit. The movie stays very faithful to the novel as well as input from other sources.
Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) just wanted to coast through life as a ranch hand and rodeo cowboy. However when he reaches a crossroad in his life he decided to do something about his life and enlisted in the US Navy where he further qualifies to become a sniper with the Navy SEALS. During his time with the Navy SEALS he records over 160 kills as a sniper, saving many lives and earning himself a legendary status amongst all the US troops. His wife Taya Kyle (Sienna Miller) stays true and faithful to him while he is on deployment and through his struggles adjusting to civilian life and being haunted by the memories of the war.
Clint Eastwood has done another fine job as a director, and Bradley Cooper who went through a very intense fitness regime powerfully brings to life Chris Kyle. While Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper have netted much of the acclaim, the unsung hero in this movie is Sienna Miller who has done an excellent job portraying Chris Kyle's wife Taya.
If you liked the novel American Sniper you will enjoy the movie. Take a bow Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper, you have both done a fine job bringing American Sniper to life on screen.
9/10.