Jarhead (2005)
Man, I just lost two hours and change of my life that I can't get back watching this film. Ugh. Here's the short version: Guy joins the Corps, becomes a sniper, goes to Kuwait in Desert Shield/Storm, and nothing happens.Nothing. Zero. Zip. Zilch. They go to boot camp, "hurry up and wait", march through some friendly fire and the burning oil fields, almost get to take a shot but are cut short by an overriding air strike... No-thing!
Is that the point of this picture? I think in a way it is. At the end I might've had a glimpse into the meaning of it all, when the Vietnam vet jumps on the bus and welcomes them all home, and sits down with them.... I guess to say that no matter what the experiences a war might put a person through, be it the beaches of some Pacific island, the jungles of Vietnam, or a short stint in a burning, oily desert with nary a shot fired... those experiences are all equally valid, take the same (to a degree) toll on the person, and should be recognized, honored, and remembered.
OK, I'll give you that. Point taken, but geez, could something have happened along the way? The almost Full Metal Jacket copycat first half in boot camp was a bit much to swallow, there were just too many similarities to ignore, and then later with the "this is my new best friend" bit in the desert. Then there's the portrayal of the guys of my generation as a group of partying idiotic morons who want nothing else but simply to kill someone. Gung Ho is one thing, but really.
I can't say much else, really. Something comes to mind about "if you can't say anything nice..." So, you'll understand if I leave Jarhead with a dreadful three. Just don't bother.
On another note, I really would like to see some more movies come out of the first Gulf War. Other than the fair but bizarre "Three Kings", and sorta-kinda the 2004 remake of "The Manchurian Candidate"... oh and "In The Army Now" with Pauly Shore.... I'm reaching to come up with any more titles. Fill me in if I'm missing anything.
Oh, I almost forgot... and Jarhead stars Jake Gyllenahall as our "hero" Anthony Swofford, some other guys I can't say I've heard of (but play idiots and rednecks rather well), and Jamie Foxx as the flat Staff Sgt. Sykes.
Technorati Tags: war movie reviews, jarhead, 2006, jake gyllenhaal, jamie foxx, gulf war, kuwait, iraq, 1991, marines, usmc
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#1
Jay
on
2007-10-21 13:53
(Reply)
If no one else has pointed it out, another Gulf War movie not in you list is Courage Under Fire. It's about a female copter pilot whose actions are being investigated for a posthumous awarding of the Medal of Honor. It's just okay and some would say it has a feminist agenda in it, but it does show some action and is better than Jarhead.
#2
Ben
on
2008-07-23 02:35
(Reply)
i think the point of this film could be that the future of warfare for americans has come to a sad just bomb the hell out of the enemy. and that they can send 50 or something thousand troops over there to stand around and go on patrols in deserted areas.
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