American Sniper Review: Movie of the Year?

Review By Nolan P. Smith

(Apple Valley)—American Sniper is a film that many are aware of now, especially after its many award nominations it has received in a short amount of time. The story of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. history has become an intense film. Is it film of the year?

The year just started, but right now, American Sniper is absolutely the film to beat for the throne. Directed by Clint Eastwood and based off of the book by Chris Kyle, the film is a chilling, coherent look into the world our military servicemen face every day. Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle, a man who just wanted to be a cowboy, and became so much more. A patriot at heart, we see the young man’s journey from his hometown to enlisting with the Navy Seals, and ultimately to his numerous tours of duty to the Middle East in the wake of 9/11.

We see not only the horrifying battlefield Chris returned to time and time again, but also the effect this had on his wife, played by Sienna Miller, and his children. We also see how it effects Chris himself, as we see with each time he comes home, the more it seems part of him stayed on the battlefield. The film pulls no punches, as we see the blood and the gore of war, and a glimpse of what our soldiers do in the name of our freedom.

The cinematography, the stark imagery, are breathtaking and haunt you long after the film is over. Cooper breaks free of his almost type casted roles as the funny guy, portraying Chris Kyle amazingly. All the cast here does a superb job, as Eastwood creates his finest film in my opinion. American Sniper easily gets a @@@@@ out of FIVE. Thank you, Chris Kyle, for your service to this country, and thank you to everyone who helped make this film a reality.