An army movie that satisfies you without having a single scene of all out gun fighting

Rating: 7/10 (5 January 2014)

Jarhead, based on the book written by the film's main character, Anthony Swofford. If you're like me then you would've never known that it was a book and probably would've figured it had to be to make up for the weird direction that the movie took early in it's plot. But like I said, it was based on a true story, and based on films that I've seen (We bought a Zoo, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Red tails just to name a few),they all appeared to be taking a weird direction just because the events taking place actually happened and the directors decided to stick with that. We're introduced to The main Character, Anthony Swofford, Swof, or Tony to his "girlfriend" and he makes it clear that he isn't really prepared for what the Marine Corps has in store for him, but he does know that his family is riddled with mental illness, loneliness, and sadness, so either way he was going to be fighting a war. My main issue right away with Jarhead was with the Drill Sgt in the first scene, who instead of playing the role of the Drill Sgt that Anthony actually encountered, it seems like he was trying to do his best 80's version impersonation of the staff Sgt from the film Full Metal Jacket. Maybe i'm wrong, but I couldn't help but feel that way. After meeting that Drill Sgt, Swofford comes across Jamie Foxx's Character ,Staff Sgt Sykes,who doesn't really sit well with me in the beginning acting wise. Soon after getting acquainted with the rowdy, friendly members of his platoon, Swofford's battle from home continues as he starts to worry about his girlfriend, Christina, and how she could be cheating on him with a "Jodie" as the troops call the other men that could be in the lives of significant others. After numerous days of no activity whatsoever, things start to get to Swofford, such as Christina leaving him, being demoted after a Christmas eve celebration goes wrong, the fact that it's all occurring in the 120 degree heat of the middle east. And as the end of the movie approaches, so does the Chance for Swofford and Troy to get the kill that they've been dreaming of, especially since Troy is set to be discharged from the Marines after it's found that he lied about his criminal record on his Marine Corps application. Scenes like the one involving Troy's reaction to his chance to kill being taken away, and Swofford's (Jake Gyllenhaal) mental mind game/Breakdown against another platoon member, are scenes that I think were delivered the best throughout the entire movie, except for one thing, the fact that the gun position changes whenever Gyllenhaal pulls Fergus off of the rack. other than that the film wasn't too bad on the acting and cinematography side. Jarhead is a movie that I would definitely recommend if people can accept the fact that it was through the eyes of a man that never got the chance to fire his rifle, the same job that he was chosen to do.