College Downtime - Jarhead Movie Review (2005)
Written by Raffman - November 15th, 2005
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Scott MacDonald
Director: Sam Mendes
Rated: R
Rating:
(4/4)Discuss this movie in our Forums!
Welcome to The Suck. The life of a Jarhead is unlike anything else in the world. As a United States Marine you are part of the most lethal fighting force on the planet. You are always the first one into combat, and the very last one to leave. You are constantly at the front line, paving the way with your bravery, courage and strength. If you are unfamiliar with just how tough the United States Marine Corps is, look at the role of the Officer. Unlike officers in the other military branches that make their troops go first, a Marine officer must lead the way. Jarhead by no means is a combat film like "Saving Private Ryan"; then again, it's based off the first Gulf War in which not a single US soldier died in combat. The first Gulf War was over so quickly, there barely was any actual combat; Saddam's soldiers essentially dropped their guns and ran away. Therefore, Jarhead focuses on the intense, daily life of a United States Marine, from the time he enters basic until the end of the first Gulf War. To put it bluntly, Jarhead is absolutely incredible. Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx are both dynamite and just like the film itself, will both be up for Oscars.
By no means is Jarhead meant to be a Marine recruiting device; to some of you it may be however. The movie's sole purpose is to give you a first hand look at not just a Marine's life, but the life of a Marine at war. On the front lines. Sam Mendes, the film's director, goes even deeper by depicting the "Dear Jane" situation while the soldiers at war; in other words, how many of the Marine's girlfriends and wives end up cheating and breaking up with them. If you are looking for real drama, and not the fake, scripted kind like from Laguna Beach, look no further than Jarhead. Jarhead digs deep into the minds of the Marines that don't want to be there, the crazy ones that have are dying to get their first kill, and the ones that aren't sure why they're there at all. If any movie is worth the insane movie theater ticket prices, Jarhead is it. My pick for Best Drama. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go see this delicious movie one more time. Or two, we'll see.
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