by Candace Salima, Senior Contributor on US Daily Review
Movie: American Sniper
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller
Rating/Runtime: R – 132 Minutes
Website: www.americansnipermovie.com
Breathtaking, inspiring and informative. American Sniper shows us the brutal facts of war and the high cost paid by our soldiers. Chris Kyle is a bonafide American hero.
American Sniper is the adaptation of Chris Kyle’s book of the same name. Kyle was the most lethal sniper in American military history and is credited with saving thousands of lives with his confirmed 160 kills, although he and his fellow SEALs indicated that number is more likely 255 kills. Michael Moore, the coward, tweeted that Chris Kyle was a coward . . . clearly the man hasn’t read the book, seen the movie, or talked to anyone who knew Chris Kyle. Kyle was anything but a coward and was dedicated to God, family and country. The movie takes us from his bronc riding career to the last day of his life, and it is quite a ride.
Kyle made it through BUDS to become a Navy SEAL, one of the elite team of warriors in the American military. Through four tours of duty in Iraq, Kyle proved again and again that not only his courage beyond measure, so was his ability to accurately assess a situation and make the proper decision. The job of a sniper is to insure the success of the team on the ground. He takes out any and all threats within reach of his bullet, and he does so quickly and decisively. Through his four tours, Kyle also left his perch above the action to go down and help clear buildings in the search for the Butcher who liked to torture and murder his victims with a drill. Coward? No. Kyle liked to fight. He liked to be in the thick of it. And he was one of the most often requested snipers by the allies.
Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller captured Chris and Taya Kyle perfectly. Kyle’s parents and wife gave the film their stamp of approval and were very grateful to Eastwood, Cooper and Miller for just telling the story as it was. And this is what it was: Chris Kyle was a man who loved his God, country and family. He dedicated his life to fighting for America to keep it from spreading to New York City or San Diego, is how he put it. He was a brave man who paid a high cost, as does any American soldier who has to fight in battle with those who have no compunction in using women and children to further their cause of hate and violence. But Chris Kyle came home, he came home and he figured out how to transform himself from elite soldier to husband and father.
When asked if he had any problems with the confirmed 160 kills, Kyle responded, “No. I’m not haunted by those I killed, I am haunted by those American soldiers I couldn’t save.” That, my friends, is a hero. Kyle found a way to continue helping soldiers and it ultimately cost him his life. It is a great tragedy that the “Legend” lost his life trying to help an Iraqi veteran deal with his PTSD.
I give American Sniper a solid FIVE STARS and recommend every adult American go see this movie. Yes, there is liberal use of the “F” word, nonetheless, it would be very good that we understand the price these men and women pay to keep their families safe, as well as America. Read the book. Watch the movie. And thank God every day that men like Chris Kyle exist and are willing to fight the battle you can’t or won’t.
Candace E. Salima is an author, columnist, public speaker and political activist. A frequent radio guest on shows around the nation, she is valued for her viewpoint on a variety of subjects, particularly politics. Follow Candace on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. Learn more about her on www.candacesalima.com.
0
0
