American Sniper: "Pro-war bias?"

[Irishbounty28]

I didn't see a thread for the book, or the movie so I thought I would create one. With the recent buzz after the release of the movie, there seems to be a devisive stance on what the movie portrays. Some feel the movie is pro-war, and that the movie is portrayed as military propaganda. Others are of the stance that it is simply a patriotic portrayal of one of the United States many military heroes.

The Short List: Why some in Hollywood think 'American Sniper' is pro-war


Seth Rogen versus Sarah Palin: Is 'American Sniper' pro-war or patriotic? (+video) - CSMonitor.com

I understand these articles are targeting celebrity thoughts, buy I feel it sparks a topic about how wars should be portrayed in movies. Should they glamorize war/war heroes? Or should they just make movies more fictional in nature and not base them off actual individuals ie. Fury?


If you want to throw out your stance on the subject, or simply what you thought of the movie in general feel free. I have seen it a few times now, and also have read the book and loved it.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Great movie. Bradley Cooper was phenomenal. I'm trying to avoid all these articles and what was said by Matthew Moore and Seth Rogen as to not tarnish my experience with the movie.

 

[PANDFAN]

going to see it this weekend....i wasn't in the military but i certainly respect what those go through and an insane amount of appreciation....i have found seth rogan's movies to be funny and enjoyed them...i won't support him further...moore, never cared for that fat f#ck

 

[#1rish]

I read the book and watched the movie. Absolutely loved both. Movie might one of my top of all-time.

That being said, I thought the movie was both anti-war and patriotic at the same time. There are plenty of scenes that shows the negative effects of war, not just overseas but at home as well (Kyle's brother, his at-home flashbacks). It does an amazing job of honoring Kyle and those who serve us.

I honestly don't really see how this is a pro-war movie. Patriotic and America fuck yeah? Sure.

I've never seen a movie where the whole theater was silent after the credits rolled.

 

[gkIrish]

If this is pro-war propaganda, then so is every movie about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon, Ulysses S. Grant, etc.

People will look for any excuse to shit on America and frankly, I'm getting tired of it.

 

[#1rish]

If this is pro-war propaganda, then so is every movie about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon, Ulysses S. Grant, etc.

People will look for any excuse to shit on America and frankly, I'm getting tired of it.

Amen.

 

[50milesSE ND]

God Bless America and damn those who wish our demise foreign and domestic. It's so absurd for these hollywierdos to have such bullshit come out of their mouths. Thankfully those they are attacking give them that opportunity to speak it.

 

[woolybug25]

going to see it this weekend....i wasn't in the military but i certainly respect what those go through and an insane amount of appreciation....i have found seth rogan's movies to be funny and enjoyed them...i won't support him further...moore, never cared for that fat f#ck

C'mon man, Seth Rogan's comments weren't even offensive. No reason to kill the guy on that. In the same sense that everyone is so damn sensitive about being politically correct, some of us are being equally sensitive about offending American patriotism.

Seth Rogan said:

American Sniper kind of reminds me of the movie that's showing in the third act of Inglorious Basterds.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 18, 2015

Then when he realized that people were taking his comment as a shot, instead of the simple observation that the film made him think of a parallel to Inglorious Bastards, he tweeted:

I just said something "kinda reminded" me of something else. I actually liked American Sniper. It just reminded me of the Tarantino scene.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 19, 2015

Let's not knee-jerk response one comment from a guy and suddenly blacklist him for something he didn't even intend. Michael Moore opinions aside, if we are going to talk about "sensitivity and PC", lets make sure we look in the mirror first, fellas.

On the movie note. Can't wait to see it. Haven't heard anything but rave reviews.

 

[Irishbounty28]

From my understanding the Pro-war sentiment is based strictly on how this movie is "glorifying" the accomplishments of Chris Kyle, and thus sending a message that war is a good thing.

This movie came across as particularly unbiased to me, and throughout the flick I could feel the families handprint. I think it accurately portrayed what a lot of military members go through while transitioning back into civilian lives. What was most impressive was how they portrayed Chris Kyle interacting with people giving him praise, and his actions while seeing a physciatrist. It wasn't your typical "war" movie for me, and think that what made this movie great was more the non-war scenes. Perfect balance imo.

 

[connor_in]

I read the book and watched the movie. Absolutely loved both. Movie might one of my top of all-time.

That being said, I thought the movie was both anti-war and patriotic at the same time. There are plenty of scenes that shows the negative effects of war, not just overseas but at home as well (Kyle's brother, his at-home flashbacks). It does an amazing job of honoring Kyle and those who serve us.

I honestly don't really see how this is a pro-war movie. Patriotic and America fuck yeah? Sure.

I've never seen a movie where the whole theater was silent after the credits rolled.

Platoon
dead silent and nobody moved

 

[irishff1014]

C'mon man, Seth Rogan's comments weren't even offensive. No reason to kill the guy on that. In the same sense that everyone is so damn sensitive about being politically correct, some of us are being equally sensitive about offending American patriotism.

Seth Rogan said:




Then when he realized that people were taking his comment as a shot, instead of the simple observation that the film made him think of a parallel to Inglorious Bastards, he tweeted:



Let's not knee-jerk response one comment from a guy and suddenly blacklist him for something he didn't even intend. Michael Moore opinions aside, if we are going to talk about "sensitivity and PC", lets make sure we look in the mirror first, fellas.

On the movie note. Can't wait to see it. Haven't heard anything but rave reviews.

Seth rogan lost all crediability with the movie about kill north Koreas leader. That was a stupid Idea from the beginning. Because if north Korea had done that about the us a lot of people would be pissed off too.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I haven't seen the movie yet but this crap from Net Gingrich and Sara Palin makes my blood boil:

“Michael Moore should spend a few weeks with ISIS and Boko Haram. Then he might appreciate @AmericanSniper. I am proud of our defenders.”

“Hollywood leftists: while caressing shiny plastic trophies you exchange among one another while spitting on the graves of freedom fighters who allow you to do what you do, just realize the rest of America knows you’re not fit to shine Chris Kyle’s combat boots,”

I'm pretty sick of the nonstop hero-anointing with our military and the claims that without them doing what they're doing we'd certainly be less safe or free. Politicians fondling the balls of their base so they can sell more books is having the effect of preventing real discussion about whether he and thousands like him died in vain or not.

 

[GoldenDomer]

How the hell is this propaganda? Its based off his autobiography. They didn't fabricate it to gain support for anything.

As for the movie itself, loved it.

 

[IrishLion]

Wow, I didn't know the full context of Rogen's quote about Nazi propoganda.

When I first heard about it, the first thing I thought of was actually the Nazi propaganda from Inglorious Basterds. Sniper Frederick Zoller has his story told, but actually struggles with it.

 

[GoldenDomer]

I haven't seen the movie yet but this crap from Net Gingrich and Sara Palin makes my blood boil:





I'm pretty sick of the nonstop hero-anointing with our military and the claims that without them doing what they're doing we'd certainly be less safe or free. Politicians fondling the balls of their base so they can sell more books is having the effect of preventing real discussion about whether he and thousands like him died in vain or not.

Guys like Chris Kyle deserve to be anointed.

 

[gkIrish]

I haven't seen the movie yet but this crap from Net Gingrich and Sara Palin makes my blood boil:





I'm pretty sick of the nonstop hero-anointing with our military and the claims that without them doing what they're doing we'd certainly be less safe or free. Politicians fondling the balls of their base so they can sell more books is having the effect of preventing real discussion about whether he and thousands like him died in vain or not.

I'm against the war in general, but whether or not the war is justified does not reflect on the heroism of the soldiers. The bottom line is they were put into combat and guys like Kyle exhibited courage and care for fellow Americans that deserves to be praised. The war itself is meaningless. It's about the soldiers.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I'm against the war in general, but whether or not the war is justified does not reflect on the heroism of the soldiers. The bottom line is they were put into combat and guys like Kyle exhibited courage and care for fellow Americans that deserves to be praised. The war itself is meaningless. It's about the soldiers.

I have no negative opinions towards soldiers who performed as Kyle did (or normal American soldiers for that matter), and I'm totally looking forward to seeing the movie. I totally agree that courage and such should be commended regardless of the situation.

However I don't think the war itself is meaningless and the Gingrich/Palin comments totally show that in my opinion. Gingrich is quick to bring ISIS in the picture, it's just shameless in my opinion.

 

[Irishbounty28]

I have no negative opinions towards soldiers who performed as Kyle did (or normal American soldiers for that matter), and I'm totally looking forward to seeing the movie. I totally agree that courage and such should be commended regardless of the situation.

However I don't think the war itself is meaningless and the Gingrich/Palin comments totally show that in my opinion. Gingrich is quick to bring ISIS in the picture, it's just shameless in my opinion.

In your opinion was there ever a war about freedom?

 

[gkIrish]

I have no negative opinions towards soldiers who performed as Kyle did (or normal American soldiers for that matter), and I'm totally looking forward to seeing the movie. I totally agree that courage and such should be commended regardless of the situation.

However I don't think the war itself is meaningless and the Gingrich/Palin comments totally show that in my opinion. Gingrich is quick to bring ISIS in the picture, it's just shameless in my opinion.

Sure, okay. There's idiots on both sides. That's why we are both libertarians. I thought your hero-annointing comment was trying to downplay their heroism.

 

[woolybug25]

Seth rogan lost all crediability with the movie about kill north Koreas leader. That was a stupid Idea from the beginning. Because if north Korea had done that about the us a lot of people would be pissed off too.

Haha.... what???

Were you so adamant when they did the same thing in "Team America"? Or what about the billion movies that depicted killing Hussain during that war?

Give me a break. He didn't even say or do anything offensive.

Finally... you really don't think that there are movies depicting the assassination of a US president? How about in '06, the British acclaim "Death of a President" that depicted a hypothetical assassination of George W Bush? Where was your outrage then?

 

[Buster Bluth]

In your opinion was there ever a war about freedom?

Definitely, the Iraq War wasn't one of them.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I haven't seen the movie yet but this crap from Net Gingrich and Sara Palin makes my blood boil:





I'm pretty sick of the nonstop hero-anointing with our military and the claims that without them doing what they're doing we'd certainly be less safe or free. Politicians fondling the balls of their base so they can sell more books is having the effect of preventing real discussion about whether he and thousands like him died in vain or not.

That's cute. I'm sure the Kyle family and all the other military families would appreciate your disgust with the "hero anointing". Movies like this one are the very least we can do to honor those we've lost who were doing what they were called to do.

Having a discussion about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is fair on any day, but tying that in with being "sick" of these movies is pure garbage. Your comment speaks for itself.

BTW...Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin aren't elected officials anymore

 

[woolybug25]

That's cute. I'm sure the Kyle family and all the other military families would appreciate your disgust with the "hero anointing". Movies like this one are the very least we can do to honor those we've lost who were doing what they were called to do.

Having a discussion about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is fair on any day, but tying that in with being "sick" of these movies is pure garbage. Your comment speaks for itself.

Do you actually finish reading people's comments before twisting them to your own narrative? Or do you just look for key words and run with it?

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Do you actually finish reading people's comments before twisting them to your own narrative? Or do you just look for key words and run with it?

Did I take his words and respond or did I twist them and fudge them to pick a fight? Give me a break. Took him word for word.

 

[phork]

If this is pro-war propaganda, then so is every movie about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon, Ulysses S. Grant, etc.

People will look for any excuse to shit on America and frankly, I'm getting tired of it.

Then stop shitting on the globe...?

 

[Irishbounty28]

Definitely, the Iraq War wasn't one of them.

So the American Revolution probably? I'm just wondering how you would differentiate between fighting for freedom and not.

 

[IrishLax]

American Sniper only has a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes but a 90% audience approval... why? Because there are a lot of people in that industry that HATE anything that glorifies people they consider "murderers" ... and yes, that's how they feel about people like Chris Kyle.

I've read a shockingly large number of reviews that spend an inordinate amount of time talking about Kyle and the book instead of the movie. They all say roughly the same thing... that because Kyle was, per his autobiography, a devout Christian who believed the Muslim enemy combatants to be "evil" that he's a murder/psychopath/idiot/bad person and therefor fuck everything about him and by proxy the movie gets two thumbs down.

I haven't seen the movie or read the book. I have no knowledge of who is right or wrong here in terms of critics. I'm just saying what I've seen some people say. And I also know that everyone I know and respect who has seen the movie or read the book has an opposite opinion from those people.

 

[#1rish]

Then stop shitting on the globe...?

I'd love to hear your input on this before just putting out statements like that.

 

[ryno 24]

The movie was definitely not Pro-War as it showed the negative side effects of the war. It ripped a man away from his family for a while. It showed the effects of PTSD that I dont believe have ever been portrayed so well before. It showed the fact that Kyle did not want to kill women or children and the effects it had on him. In fact, it was eye opening and challenged what war does to men. But yes it did make those men seem like heroes, which they are because regardless of whether the war was just, what those soldiers did and are doing is the epitome of bravery and courageous.

 

[woolybug25]

Did I take his words and respond or did I twist them and fudge them to pick a fight? Give me a break. Took him word for word.

To answer your question succinctly and direct to your comment, yes... yes you did. He wrote:

I'm pretty sick of the nonstop hero-anointing with our military and the claims that without them doing what they're doing we'd certainly be less safe or free.

This was in reference to the comments by Newt and Palin. He was referring to the constant knee jerk response to any discussion about war as "they are fighting for your freedom!!!" You then quoted that comment and wrote:

That's cute. I'm sure the Kyle family and all the other military families would appreciate your disgust with the "hero anointing". Movies like this one are the very least we can do to honor those we've lost who were doing what they were called to do.

Having a discussion about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is fair on any day, but tying that in with being "sick" of these movies is pure garbage. Your comment speaks for itself.

Which infers that he is sick of movies depicting servicemen as heroes. Which he never, not once, referred to himself. That's what I am talking about. You read other poster's thoughts and immediately try to find a way to make it a right wing talking point. Having discussions with you that have any resemblance of dialogue is literally impossible. This is because you don't actually have any thoughts of your own on these topics, just talking points that you try to mold others opinions either for or against. Then use the same worn out platforms. It's exhausting.