American Sniper Review

This film rises and falls based entirely on what you think on the lead character Chris Kyle. A well-publicised figure in the American media, the late Chris Kyle was the most lethal sniper in American military history with 161 confirmed kills. People have since questioned to what extent he can be considered an American hero, or did he just kill people because as he’s said in the past, he likes it. In the context of the film you can only judge him on how he’s been presented on screen. Clint Eastwood isn’t interested in the Iraq war as a whole, this is about one Americans experiences at War, what made him want to fight, what made him so good at it, and how it affected him as a person. Eastwood also, quite sensibly, doesn’t seem to make a decision as to what type of person he felt Kyle was, allowing the audience to come to their own conclusions. Bradley Cooper is exceptional as Kyle, its not a showy performance, he captures all of the patriarchal respect that’s embedded in Kyle’s nature, all the yes sirs and yes mams, it’s also the incredible subtleties of the 4 tours and their effects on Kyle. The film is also extremely effective as a tense action with the set pieces confidently handled. There are some missteps, in an attempt to demonise the enemy there are some slightly over the top sequences that are slightly mishandled, and also a bizarre sequence which features an obviously fake baby. Though it’s effectively done its also not necessarily ground breaking in structure but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Ultimately as a big fan of Kyle, regardless of his more unlikeable qualities, I really liked this film and it’s great to see Eastwood back in such good form. (Low 5 Stars)