Growing up he always wanted to do this, go to war and serve his country, but war is not what he imagined.

Rating: 8/10 (27 October 2005)

In 'Jarhead' Jake Gyllenhaal plays Anthony Swofford, a new marine recruit who is going to Iraq. Growing up he always wanted to do this, go to war and serve his country, but war is not what he imagined.
This movie illustrates the actual events of Desert Storm through the eyes of Anthony Swofford. Anthony Swofford was a scout/sniper in a USMC platoon in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the Gulf War. His book 'Jarhead' tells the story of the events that happened to him and his fellow marines.
Though I liked this film a lot, mostly for the realism, it did remind me too much of 'Platoon'. Unlike other war films, this movie is mostly uneventful, just like the war. This is what I think Swofford is trying to get across in his story. Here he is with his platoon, ready to fight, and they are not fighting. Casualties happen, from accidents mostly, but they do not get to fight. There seems to be no purpose for them being there.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard (Troy), and Jamie Foxx (Sgt. Siek) are all really good in this film. But do not expect a lot of fighting.