The American Sniper Celebrates Chris Kyle - Movie Review Example

A review of American Sniper The movie American Sniper celebrates Chris Kyle Introduction The movie d American Sniper has received attention from the American audience as well as other viewers from different parts of the globe. The movie brings to light the outstanding skill of one of the American Navy Seals who participated in the Iraq war. The movie reflects the story of Chris Kyle, who is renowned as the most dangerous sniper in the American history. Chris Kyle authored an autobiography about his adventures and war missions. In addition, he describes how he became a sharpshooter feared by terrorists. Clint Eastwood, the director of the American Sniper, needed to retell Kyle’s story in the form of a film. The movie helps the audience connect closely to the achievements of Chris Kyle as he worked towards protecting American soldiers. His role in the four tours in Iraq is clearly revealed in the movie. This paper will present a critical review of the movie. Body The focus of the movie is on the outstanding talent of Chris Kyle, an American military man who participated in the Iraq war. Chris Kyle was just a normal man from Texas, who later recognized that he had a skill that he could use to benefit his country. Therefore, he enrolled in the Navy a move that would see him become a renowned sharpshooter. Chris Kyle chose to enroll into the Navy after the 1998 terrorist bombings affecting American allies such as Kenya and Tanzania. Worth noting is the fact that Chris Kyle developed his shooting talent as a young boy because he joined his father in his hunting adventures. After enlisting in the Navy, his talent in shooting was enhanced, a factor that made him one of the individuals placed in the front line of the war on terror. Throughout his service in the Navy, Kyle exhibited outstanding capability and at one point shot someone dead while he was 2,100 yards away (Eastwood). Kyle has been documented as the only sniper who managed to shoot and kill more than 150 people, most of them being members of the terror gangs. The movie reveals his personal life, specifically his earlier days before he joined the Navy, as well as giving an overview of his family. However, the central agenda of the movie was to retell Kyle’s story to the world. His story became a common tale in the United States after authoring his autobiography. Therefore, the director sought to enhance the story with the use of different cinematographic techniques. The visual elements of the movie brings Kyle’s story to life. Bradley Cooper, who plays Kyle in the movie, presents the audience with an intriguing piece to watch. Worth noting is the fact that Cooper brings out critical aspects of Chris Kyle’s skills. It is evident that he took the time to prepare for the role effectively (Eastwood). For this reason, the viewer can easily connect with Bradley Cooper as a lethal sharp shooter. One of the outstanding elements of the movies is that it reflects the real talent and heroism exhibited by Chris Kyle. The movie does justice in depicting Kyle as an invincible sharp shooter in the battlefield. The movie makes the audience recognize that Chris Kyle recognized his purpose at an earlier age as is evident in his protective role towards his younger brother when he was bullied in school. An intriguing aspect is brought out in the movie when his father highlights that there are three types of individuals in the world. Among the three mentioned, Chris Kyle identified himself as a shipdog. The role of a shipdog is to protect others by fighting against evil. Therefore, in the Iraq war, Kyle has the conviction that the terrorists do not deserve to live because they attack innocent people and commit mass killings without any mercy. For this reason, Kyle is determined to bring down the terrorists while protecting American soldiers. Bradley Cooper plays the ship dog role of Chris Kyle effectively. The viewer can see Cooper undertaking patrols in order to ensure that none of the Americans will end up dying. During his service in the Navy, Chris Kyle played his role effectively and saved the American soldiers in many instances. Interestingly, the movie also ventures into Kyle’s life after his honorable discharge from the Navy. Kyle’s determination to protect American soldiers motivated him to open up a venture that would see him become a mentor to other individuals willing to play the ship dog role (Keller 56). Therefore, he began a company that focused on training young people to gain outstanding shooting skills so that they would play the ship dog role effectively. Clint Eastwood portrays Chris Kyle as the protagonist in the movie. Although the movie focuses on extreme violence, the presentation of Chris Kyle as a protagonist with desirable characteristics serves to influence many viewers into believing that Kyle’s actions are justified. However, a closer analysis of the agenda promoted by the movie reveals that Eastwood promoted the dehumanization of a community. Since he portrays Kyle as a protagonist, many viewers are likely to be desensitized and view the 160 individuals by Kyle lightly. However, there is evidence that the film seeks to give a priority to the saving of American soldiers at the cost of Iraqi nationals. It is true that terrorist from Iraq perpetrated unjustifiable terrorism against the Americans and other countries. However, the movie portrays the killing of innocent women and children. It is evident that the viewer is expected to consider the killings justifiable because they occur in an effort to protect Americans. Therefore, a negative element of the movie becomes evident. The movie serves to promote the dehumanization of the Iraqi society as well as promoting racial stereotypes. A close analysis of the portrayal of the Iraqi community as backward people with no basic education serves to influence the perceptions of other people towards the Iraqi community (Keller 57). Evidently, watching the movie does not give anyone a positive connotation about Iraq. The movie also promotes religious content because Kyle is seen with a Bible that he carries around. The movie highlights that Kyle believes in “God, country, and family”. Kyle has the confidence that he can face the creator and justify his actions. However, it is evident that his conscience bothers him regarding his actions and his role in the war. It is expected that a normal person would experience pangs from his conscience after killing a 12-year-old boy. However, Kyle remains confident that such actions are justifiable because sparing the boy would have translated to the killing of many American soldiers. It is interesting to note that the terrorists claim that their actions are also justifiable I accordance with their religion. The movie portrays the Iraqi as savages who kill innocent people without mercy. The Islamic and Christian faith, in this case, have been portrayed in support for the violence that is evident in the movie (Keller 58). Worth noting is the fact that the Iraqi war in which Kyle proves to be an outstanding sharp shooter is one of the most controversial wars fought by the United States. At a wider context, the movie depicts the experiences of soldiers in war, the psychological effects resulting from as well as how the war missions affect the families of the soldiers. Notably, Chris Kyle is forced to be away from his family because he has to be in Iraq. His wife and daughter have to put up with long days without him. As is evident from the discussions with other soldiers, families suffer immensely when one of them participates in a war. It is unfortunate that Kyle has to place the needs and interests of his country before those of his family. He believes that it is the best way to express his patriotism and fight terrorism. He prefers to be in Iraq, protecting the soldiers than at home with his family. It is evident that any war transforms individuals and their families compelling them to undergo experiences that many Americans will never understand (Eastwood). The movie helps the viewer to have a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers and their families. Conclusion The American Sniper celebrates sniper skills exhibited by a navy seal in the Iraqi war. It is still controversial on whether the American society should celebrate sniper skills and give individuals such as Kyle so much attention. The movie introduces the viewer to the realities of the battlefield. The director depicts the outstanding skills of Kyle and his unexpected victims. There is an evident portrayal of the Iraqi society in a negative manner. The movie also presents some horrifying incidences that occur during the Iraqi war. It is for the viewer to decide whether the actions of Chris Kyle are justifiable. As the American nation celebrates his outstanding skills, there is a salient need to reconsider the dehumanization of the Iraqi society as exhibited in the movie. Critics of the movie may be easily mistaken for supporters of terrorism. However, the movie’s depiction of the killings of children and women in Iraq is highly questionable. Work Cited Eastwood, Clint. American Sniper. [United States] : Warner, 2015. Film. Keller, Kieran. "Review: American Sniper." Human Prospect 4.2 (2014): 55-58. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. Read More