Gyllenhaal is a convincing 'jarhead'

Rating: Null/10 (5 November 2005)

Let me preface this comment by saying that I am a thirty year old female who finds the idea of war repulsive. However, I thought this movie was fantastic (in terms of acting, cinematography, location, etc.)--although I will admit the ending felt a little anti-climatic.
But perhaps the ending just reinforced one of this movie's strongest points, which in my opinion, was for us to understand that there is far more that goes on in any war than just killing. I have to wonder if we all have just become too desensitized (by the usual brainless, gory flicks) that we can't even watch/enjoy a movie like this that focused more on the psychological aspects of war and its effect on interpersonal relationships, than on the glory and machismo that comes with the "kill."
I appreciated all of the sly nods to some of our past war movies (Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Rambo, Platoon). They were (I thought) cleverly intertwined with a fresh approach to the genre. The overall film ended up being much more humorous than I believed it would be. Despite what I wrote above, there are still plenty of violent moments that are emotionally marked with intense sadness and frustration. Very solid and convincing performances by Foxx and Gyllenhaal allowed me to suspend my disbelief for two hours and fifteen minutes without looking at my watch one time. I left feeling like we have all undervalued the knowledge of what it must be like to be in the "pins-and-needles" experience of war like those encountered by the Marine soldiers in this movie.
I strongly recommend viewing it at least once. Don't watch it thinking you will find definitive, black and white answers to morality issues regarding war. Instead, you will walk away with a better appreciation of the transformation that takes place when you take a young man and turn him into a "jarhead."