Based on Chris Kyle's autobiography 'American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History' (written with Scott McEwan and Jim De Felice, published 2012), well screenwritten by Jason Hall, who finished the first draft the day Kyle was killed. For example there's a lovely jump from Kyle with the boy in his sights to himself as a boy (though this of course may have been Clint's idea, or the editor's - how can you tell?). On that subject it is very well cut by Malpaso regulars Joel Cox and Gary Roach. They are able to make a fast action scene move really well but remain completely understandable, something many action films lose.
Also I like the very quick moment where we see the enemy sniper (Sammy Sheik) himself has a young wife and baby and thus is Kyle's complete counterpart.
Bradley Cooper is great - he looks like a wolf at times. Sienna Miller is his wife. With Max Charles, Luke Grimes, Kyle Gallner, Sam Jaeger, Jake McDorman.
Tom Stern shot it of course, digitally, in Panavision, and Morocco once again stands in for Afghanistan.
Prompted a discussion between us about how it didn't look like an old man's film (84), but you can't really make judgements like that as directors are different anyway.
The moments of humour are invaluable and it moves along with that some terrific momentum that marked Changeling.
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