NationStates Jolt Archive

The movie "Jarhead" will be out in a few days here, and I wanna know whether it's worth watching.

It's a war movie about Desert Storm, so it would be interesting to hear whether it is particularly realistic or not, or whether it tells the story all wrong.

Sadly, since there is military equipment, and lots of explosions, in the film, I also have to assume that the Pentagon had a part in the script (f*cking hell, why do people even allow that?) - is it noticable?

The movie "Jarhead" will be out in a few days here, and I wanna know whether it's worth watching.
Yes

It's a war movie about Desert Storm, so it would be interesting to hear whether it is particularly realistic or not, or whether it tells the story all wrong.
Certainly not your typical war movie, seeing as the main character doesn't fire his weapon once during the war. It seems fairly realistic, and the story is based on a book written by a marine who was in the war.
It's less about the war than about the effect on the soldiers who went to Iraq and then sat around doing bugger all while the air force played the most important part.

Sadly, since there is military equipment, and lots of explosions, in the film, I also have to assume that the Pentagon had a part in the script (f*cking hell, why do people even allow that?) - is it noticable?
Not really.

I've seen it twice at the cinema now, and both times it's been excellent. I'll probably get it on dvd when it comes out.
Also, it has a great soundtrack.

I didn't like it much myself.

It was interesting and certainly seemed realistic.

My girlfriend enjoyed it more - If you fancy Jake Gyllenhall or however you spell it, you'll probably love it, especially the part where he dances round with nothing but a santa hat over his schlong.

Other than that, it had some funny moments but thats it.

IMO it tried to follow apocalypse now's format and kinda fell flat on its face....

Thumbs up here

Still have to watch it myself, but friends' reviews were very positive

Id recommend it, certainly not what we've come to expect from a war film ie no large gun battles or one-man heroics. Quite gruesome in places but at least it was trying to be realistic. From the angle it was told i expect many soldiers who served would recognise the circumstances of the main character.
In response to your Pentagon involvement worries, i would disagree - if anything this film criticises the government and military, if very subtly, over poor quality equipment and hints at 'Golf-War Syndrome'.

I wouldnt recommend seeing it in the cinema really. It might be worth renting when it comes out though
Ive got to say the best part was the start which was really funny. But the last 40 mins or so are just tedious
Its uber realistic which isnt really a good thing. It may be realistic but if the war really was boring then dont make a film about it
Probably worth renting for the first half/two thirds but not worth goin to see

The movie "Jarhead" will be out in a few days here, and I wanna know whether it's worth watching.
Yes, definitely.

It may be a bit "video clippy", which may be because of the fabulous (and loud and thumping) soundtrack, but it's pretty good. The cinematography is fantastic - the light in the desert is blindingly white, washing out all color, and the effects of the burning oil wells are brilliantly recreated.


It's a war movie about Desert Storm, so it would be interesting to hear whether it is particularly realistic or not, or whether it tells the story all wrong.
Well, it doesn't concentrate on the big picture, it's first and foremost the story of just one soldier and told from his perspective only. And since it's based on the experiences of that soldier, Anthony Swofford, it kind of has to be pretty realistic - at least as realistic as his book.


Sadly, since there is military equipment, and lots of explosions, in the film, I also have to assume that the Pentagon had a part in the script (f*cking hell, why do people even allow that?) - is it noticable?
Well, there's weapons and vehicles, obviously, but I can't see how any government agency would have had "a part in the script", seeing (again) how it is based on Swofford's book, which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of the army.


What I didn't like (without giving anything away):

- Granted, it's been a year since I read the book, but I seem to remember a lot less war action than in the movie. Which is also one of the reasons I was surprised that so many people found the movie boring "because what kind of war movie is it when nothing ever happens?". Caveat: the friend I saw it with thought there could have been 20 minutes cut from the middle of the movie. I was engrossed the whole time, though.

- IMO, there was actually a bit too much action, and too little of the explosive high-strung, battle-ready boredom the book was mainly about.

- A couple of the most haunting/memorable scenes from the book, the screening of Apocalypse Now and the football game in the desert, were translated to the screen in a way that totally made them lose their punch. Stuff like that always bugs me, because - hello, you have the perfect scene at right at your fingertips, and you change it? WTF?

I wouldnt recommend seeing it in the cinema really. It might be worth renting when it comes out though
Ive got to say the best part was the start which was really funny. But the last 40 mins or so are just tedious
Its uber realistic which isnt really a good thing. It may be realistic but if the war really was boring then dont make a film about it
Probably worth renting for the first half/two thirds but not worth goin to see
I agree. I went to see it, much to my regret, and was totally disappointed, as were my two sons who went with me. My recommendation: save your money.

The book was better.

I'd say it is kinda hard making a movie about being bored entertaining!

It would be just as easy to make a successful cinematic version of Waiting for Godot.

I'd still be interested to see it.

Golf-War

Hmmmmmmmm, never heard of THAT war...

Hmmmmmmmm, never heard of THAT war...
http://www.americanpolitics.com/MOPAULsmirkgolfing.jpg