Dwayne Joseph
Staff Writer
Sitting at the edge of your seat, biting your nails with your heart racing is what will happen while watching the movie, “American Sniper”.
Based on the life of former Navy SEAL sniper, Chris Kyle, this movie provides action-packed drama along with heart wrenching scenes that ensured its Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring veteran actor Bradley Cooper of “Hangover” series notoriety, the movie focuses on the military veteran’s life. Kyle is known as the most lethal sniper in American history. The Texas native served and protected the country he loved during four Iraqi tours. However, Kyle was tragically killed at a Texas gun range at the age of 38 by a fellow veteran he was trying to help who was allegedly suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
The movie has garnered six Oscar nominations, including Cooper’s stunning portrayal of Kyle, leading to his winning the BFCA Critics’ Award for Best Actor in an Action Movie and an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
“American Sniper” seemed more like a documentary because of the realistic war scenes, causing the viewer to truly empathize with the plight of the characters in the film. The movie gives important series of events that happened in the life span of Chris Kyle, including the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.
Eastwood zoomed in on the life of Kyle and how he managed to the look out for his army buddies as they search for terrorists in the country of Iraq. Kyle vowed to protect his brothers at any cost, even if it involved gunning down a child who is a threat to the entire armed forces.
“American Sniper” stands tall on top of the weekend box office, earning over $200 million since its release five weeks ago, according to boxofficemojo.com.
The movie has been getting negative feedback however. Comments by filmmaker Michael Moore about the movie caused viral debates across the Internet.
Moore states: “My uncle was killed by sniper in WW2 (World War II). We were taught that snipers were cowards who will shoot you in the back. Snipers aren’t heroes.” Many critics viewed his comments as anti-American.
In my opinion however, the movie does what it set out to do, entertain and inform. It gives civilians a look inside the mind and life of soldiers during time of conflict. Cooper’s amazing acting career has just peaked.
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