American Sniper 4K review by Bobby Blakey
Clint Eastwood has an impressive resume in front and behind the camera. During his long tenure as one of the most prolific directors of all time he has taken on numerous real-life people and their stories. In 2014 he took to bring the story of Navy Seal Chris Kyle to life in American Sniper starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban and Keir O’Donnell. Now the film is making its way onto 4K for the first time ever, but does it hold up and still hit its target or does it miss the bullseye?
American Sniper follows Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield, and as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya, and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
I remember seeing this when it was originally released, expecting more of an action film or something focusing on the final tragic moments Kyle endured, but what is here is so much more. I knew we would learn more about his life
and career, but the depth it dives into not only his family and military career, but even more so some of the PTSD elements elevates it too more powerful story than it already is.
The entire cast are outstanding but its Cooper that really shoulders the weight of it all and knocks it out of the park. He brings the strong military hero to bold life carrying everything from the stoic sniper and soldier to family man as someone you can see as the hero he is. He also showcases the weakness he experiences in some of the war aftermath as he mentally struggles with life outside of a war zone. Eastwood once again masterfully crafts a compelling story of a real-life person that could have gotten lost in just the war or his tragic end, but instead shines a multilayered spotlight across his entire life and career.
This movie is excellent and holds up well being a story that everyone should witness if for no other reason than to honor the legacy of this American hero. Grab your cope of American Sniper on 4K for the first time ever available now from Warner Bros Discovery Home Entertainment.