American Sniper - Review

American Sniper

Review by Michael Bradley

American Sniper follows the American 

hero Chris Kyle, portrayed by Bradley Cooper, in the build up to his legendary status in which he is credited. However, the film has been critiqued on its attempt to recreate this journey due to the methods in which director Eastwood chose to present the character.I personally think American Sniper provides an enjoyable and gripping film, in which the ending does provide a sense of deep emotion throughout the cinema.

Reviews express the slight hatred to the film due to its over-glorification of the United States, and I agree. The exaggerated scenarios, such as the main confrontation between the two rifleman, and the overall excess of footage used to present the American army triumph at war, is in fact promoting the country on a rather bias level. But with the film being highly targeted at an audience of Americans, it makes sense to do so. The aim of a movie is to make money and that is what this film achieves. With a record breaking opening weekend, clearly the audience was not disappointed. Despite the patriotism, the film also presents an enjoyable narrative at most points, mostly due to the impressive performance by Cooper. He provides a character in which the audience could attach to emotionally and reflect the deceased veteran in a pleasant light.

It is fairly obvious the work is fictional, with moments like mentioned before, Eastwood has shaped the reality of this complex being to fit its cinematic prosperity. In which helps me understand why most critical responses were not happy with the film's overall take on the events. However for me the film provided a Hollywood war film that has subverted from the ordinary action conventions that are being forced down our throats along with our popcorn, in many blockbusters today. 

The film is almost presented as a documentary showing a reality to the situations at hand. First we meet the character and acknowledge his past and present making us emotionally invested in the protagonist early on in the film. Then after the setup of the film we are presented with the first bump in Chris Kyle’s journey. The dramatic sequence where Kyle faces the decision to shoot the young boy or hold fire, when he is thought to be a threat to the rest of infantry. This moment is controversial on and off screen. Through the use of this sensitive matter the film is further publicised through talk of the subject. The trailer consisted of this scene to create buzz and anticipation for the release of the film. This subject matter however is creditable as it conveys the realistic elements resembling actual war oppose to other film portrayals in this genre. The onscreen effect provides a flaw to this character in which the audience has been built to care for. Making the effect of this scene even more dramatic and fore me gain further respect for soldiers in general.

 

 The movie is great for the contribution to Actor Bradley Cooper’s career as it veers away him from his less serious roles, like the ‘Hangover’ trilogy and ‘the A-team’, and reflects his series career professionally like seen in ‘the Place Beyond the Pines’ and the very well-constructed ‘Limitless’. I mention his work as I enjoy the majority of Cooper’s appearances and he is partly the reason for my interest in this film But despite this I found the engaging storyline and emotional connection produced by the film, that the film was successful in its attempt to create a commemorative film for the great American hero and make money whilst doing so.