Being a Marine Sniper between Gulf Wars 1 & 2, I wasn't sure if I'd relate...

Rating: 9/10 (12 November 2005)

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to relate to this movie, which plays out much more like an honest memoir than a war movie. Although some people might have been either shocked or confused by many themes in the film, I would have to say I thought they were accurate. I identified with most all of the thematic elements and I don't think that they were exaggerated for the sake of celluloid. I even found myself laughing (out loud) after a scene or line that I felt to be perfectly funny, though I was apparently the only one in the theater that thought so. Don't take each scene too seriously if you are easily offended--everything in it is pretty right-on, but it's all normal male bonding type stuff. Infantry (and more-so with STA/Sniper) platoons form a pretty close brotherhood where many times there may be no such thing as privacy (which is actually healthy for situations in which team-work is essential).
As a Marine Scout-Sniper in a STA platoon and other units just after Gulf War 1, I was never a shooter in combat. I thought this movie might be past my experiences, but after watching it, I feel that it's a film many people will be able to relate to, not just combat vets (unlike many other more combat-oriented war movies). In fact, it was more like my experience than not.
It's tough to relate any detailed accounts from the film without giving up the very simple and straightforward plot-line. However, I can tell you that it's glancing insight into interpersonal interactions in a unit like STA is an entertaining staple throughout the movie. I say glancing, because I don't think the director had enough time to delve any deeper given that it's less than a 2-hour piece. It's enough to give you a longview of the man's experiences. Take the time to believe the concepts the film presents (because it's a good account of a real experience), and you'll enjoy the whole thing.
Technical: Other than one scene, I thought the events were very technically accurate. There was a scene where a sniper team was in a hide, and are approached and more or less caught off-guard. I wouldn't think any school-trained Marine Sniper would let that happen (without early warning systems or other countermeasures around the hide). Otherwise, all equipment, organizational elements, and armament/ordnance representations were very accurate.
You know a movie's good when it changes your plans afterwards. Instead of going out, I went home to call some friends for Veterans Day! Cheers, Swaff!