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copyedit. the article by Lindy West is about a series of articles, not simply her lone opinion. and it's about the larger audience reaction against anyone critical of the film. I think backlash, is mild description.
Lindy West is not a film critic. Her opinion is not of significant weight for this article on the film.
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| writer = [[Jason Hall (screenwriter)|Jason Hall]]
| writer = [[Jason Hall (screenwriter)|Jason Hall]]
| based on = {{based on|''[[American Sniper]]''|[[Chris Kyle]] <br />Scott McEwen<br />Jim DeFelice}}
| based on = {{based on|''[[American Sniper]]''|[[Chris Kyle]]<br />Scott McEwen<br />Jim DeFelice}}
| starring = {{Plain list |
| starring = {{Plain list |
* [[Bradley Cooper]]
* [[Bradley Cooper]]
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[[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying "Bradley Cooper, as Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, and director Eastwood salute Kyle's patriotism best by not denying its toll. Their targets are clearly in sight, and their aim is true."<ref>{{cite web |author= Peter Travers |url= http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/american-sniper-20141223|title='American Sniper' Movie Review |work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' gave the film a B, saying "''American Sniper'' is imperfect and at times a little corny, but also ambivalent and complicated in ways that are uniquely Eastwoodian."<ref>{{cite web |author= Ignatiy Vishnevetsky |url= http://www.avclub.com/review/clint-eastwoods-american-sniper-war-movie-s-tenses-212968|title=Review: Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper is a war movie that’s tensest on the home front |publisher=The A.V. Club|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] of ''[[ReelViews]]'' gave the film three and a half stars out out of five, saying "''American Sniper'' lifts director Clint Eastwood out of the doldrums that have plagued his last few films."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2846 |title=Reelviews Movie Reviews|author=James Berardinelli|publisher=ReelViews|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Rafer Guzman of ''[[Newsday]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying "Cooper nails the role of an American killing machine in Clint Eastwood's clear-eyed look at the Iraq War."<ref>{{cite web |author = Rafer Guzman |url= http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/american-sniper-review-bradley-cooper-nails-the-role-1.9740058|title='American Sniper' review: Bradley Cooper nails the role|work=Newsday}}</ref> Kenneth Turan of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' gave the film a positive review, saying "Eastwood's impeccably crafted action sequences so catch us up in the chaos of combat we are almost not aware that we're watching a film at all."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-american-sniper-review-20141225-column.html |title=Review: 'American Sniper' goes above and beyond war-hero tradition - LA Times |author= Kenneth Turan |date=December 24, 2014|work= [[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Claudia Puig of ''[[USA Today]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying "It's clearly Cooper's show. Substantially bulked up and affecting a believable Texas drawl, Cooper embodies Kyle's confidence, intensity and vulnerability."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/12/23/american-sniper-review/19157153/ |title=Bradley Cooper's aim is true in 'American Sniper'|author=Claudia Puig|date=December 23, 2014|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Inkoo Kang of ''[[The Wrap]]'' gave the film a negative review, saying "Director Clint Eastwood‘s focus on Kyle is so tight that no other character, including wife Taya (Sienna Miller), comes through as a person, and the scope so narrow that the film engages only superficially with the many moral issues surrounding the Iraq War."<ref>{{cite web |author= Inkoo Kang |url= http://www.thewrap.com/american-sniper-review-bradley-cooper-clint-eastwood-sienna-miller/ |title='American Sniper' Review: War Plays Out Like a Video Game in Clint Eastwood's Navy SEAL Biopic |work=TheWrap|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Joshua Rothkopf of ''[[Time Out New York]]'' gave the film four out of five stars, saying "Just as only Nixon could go to China, only Clint Eastwood could make a movie about an Iraq War veteran and infuse it with doubts, mission anxiety and ruination."<ref>{{cite web |author= Joshua Rothkopf |url= http://www.timeout.com/us/film/american-sniper |title=American Sniper|work=Time Out New York|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref>
[[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying "Bradley Cooper, as Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, and director Eastwood salute Kyle's patriotism best by not denying its toll. Their targets are clearly in sight, and their aim is true."<ref>{{cite web |author= Peter Travers |url= http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/american-sniper-20141223|title='American Sniper' Movie Review |work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' gave the film a B, saying "''American Sniper'' is imperfect and at times a little corny, but also ambivalent and complicated in ways that are uniquely Eastwoodian."<ref>{{cite web |author= Ignatiy Vishnevetsky |url= http://www.avclub.com/review/clint-eastwoods-american-sniper-war-movie-s-tenses-212968|title=Review: Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper is a war movie that’s tensest on the home front |publisher=The A.V. Club|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] of ''[[ReelViews]]'' gave the film three and a half stars out out of five, saying "''American Sniper'' lifts director Clint Eastwood out of the doldrums that have plagued his last few films."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2846 |title=Reelviews Movie Reviews|author=James Berardinelli|publisher=ReelViews|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Rafer Guzman of ''[[Newsday]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying "Cooper nails the role of an American killing machine in Clint Eastwood's clear-eyed look at the Iraq War."<ref>{{cite web |author = Rafer Guzman |url= http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/american-sniper-review-bradley-cooper-nails-the-role-1.9740058|title='American Sniper' review: Bradley Cooper nails the role|work=Newsday}}</ref> Kenneth Turan of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' gave the film a positive review, saying "Eastwood's impeccably crafted action sequences so catch us up in the chaos of combat we are almost not aware that we're watching a film at all."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-american-sniper-review-20141225-column.html |title=Review: 'American Sniper' goes above and beyond war-hero tradition - LA Times |author= Kenneth Turan |date=December 24, 2014|work= [[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Claudia Puig of ''[[USA Today]]'' gave the film three out of four stars, saying "It's clearly Cooper's show. Substantially bulked up and affecting a believable Texas drawl, Cooper embodies Kyle's confidence, intensity and vulnerability."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/12/23/american-sniper-review/19157153/ |title=Bradley Cooper's aim is true in 'American Sniper'|author=Claudia Puig|date=December 23, 2014|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Inkoo Kang of ''[[The Wrap]]'' gave the film a negative review, saying "Director Clint Eastwood‘s focus on Kyle is so tight that no other character, including wife Taya (Sienna Miller), comes through as a person, and the scope so narrow that the film engages only superficially with the many moral issues surrounding the Iraq War."<ref>{{cite web |author= Inkoo Kang |url= http://www.thewrap.com/american-sniper-review-bradley-cooper-clint-eastwood-sienna-miller/ |title='American Sniper' Review: War Plays Out Like a Video Game in Clint Eastwood's Navy SEAL Biopic |work=TheWrap|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Joshua Rothkopf of ''[[Time Out New York]]'' gave the film four out of five stars, saying "Just as only Nixon could go to China, only Clint Eastwood could make a movie about an Iraq War veteran and infuse it with doubts, mission anxiety and ruination."<ref>{{cite web |author= Joshua Rothkopf |url= http://www.timeout.com/us/film/american-sniper |title=American Sniper|work=Time Out New York|accessdate=December 26, 2014}}</ref>

[[Lindy West]] praised Eastwood called his film an effective piece of cinema, but questioned the heroic portrayal of Kyle, "and particularly the public reaction to its release" noting an audience backlash against a series of articles that were critical of Kyle. Critics noted that in his autobiography Kyle claimed killing Iraqis was “fun”, and “I hate the damn savages,”<!-- line also in the film -->.<ref>{{cite web | author = Lindy West | work = The Guardian| date = 6 January 2015 | title = The real American Sniper was a hate-filled killer. Why are simplistic patriots treating him as a hero? | url =
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/06/real-american-sniper-hate-filled-killer-why-patriots-calling-hero-chris-kyle }}</ref><ref>https://variety.com/2015/film/columns/clint-eastwoods-walking-wounded-from-dirty-harry-to-american-sniper-1201392603/ </ref>


===Box office===
===Box office===
In North America, the film opened in 4 theaters at number 22 in its first weekend, with $633,456.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=52&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for December 26-28, 2014 |publisher= [[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate=December 30, 2014}}</ref> The following week the film earned $676,909 playing at the same number of location at an average of $169,277 per theater, which is the biggest second weekend average ever for a live-action movie (previously held by ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'').<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3991&p=.htm | title = Weekend Report: 'Hobbit' Finale Three-Peats on First Weekend of 2015 | author = Ray Subers | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] | date = January 4, 2015 | accessdate = January 5, 2015}}</ref> ''American Sniper'' holds the record for the most entries in the top 20 Top Opening Weekend Theater Avarages for a limited release with 3 entries.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/theateravg.htm?page=THTRAVG&p=.htm | title = TOP WEEKEND THEATER AVERAGES | publisher = Box Office Mojo | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref> The film collected a total of $3.3 million from limited release.<ref name="Deadline"/>
In North America, the film opened in 4 theaters at number 22 in its first weekend, with $633,456.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=52&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for December 26-28, 2014 |publisher= [[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate=December 30, 2014}}</ref> The following week the film earned $676,909 playing at the same number of location at an average of $169,277 per theater, which is the biggest second weekend average ever for a live-action movie (previously held by ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'').<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3991&p=.htm | title = Weekend Report: 'Hobbit' Finale Three-Peats on First Weekend of 2015 | author = Ray Subers | work = [[Box Office Mojo]] | date = January 4, 2015 | accessdate = January 5, 2015}}</ref> ''American Sniper'' holds the record for the most entries in the top 20 Top Opening Weekend Theater Avarages for a limited release with 3 entries.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/theateravg.htm?page=THTRAVG&p=.htm | title = TOP WEEKEND THEATER AVERAGES | publisher = Box Office Mojo | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref> The film collected a total of $3.3 million from limited release.<ref name="Deadline"/>


Prior to its North American [[wide release|wide debute]], various critics and box office insiders predicted that the film would be a significant hit at the box office in its opening weekend, citing evidence of drawing faith-based and military crowds, and given how much Middle-Eastern war-time topics were in the headlines at that time, such as the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS threats]], and particularly in the wake of the [[Charlie Hebdo]] attacks.<ref name="Deadline" /> [[Fandango (ticket service)|Fandango]] reported that the film accounted more than 70% of their pre-ticket sales and scoring 88 out of 100 points on Fandango’s ''Fanticipation'' movie buzz indicator. Reports also showed that the film was outselling 2014's war drama film ''[[Lone Survivor (film)|Lone Survivor]]''.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite web | url = http://deadline.com/2015/01/weekend-box-office-american-sniper-kevin-hart-the-wedding-ringer-paddington-blackhat-martin-luther-king-jr-1201349929/ | title = ‘American Sniper’ Targeting $50M+ Record Bow For Clint Eastwood: Box Office Preview | author = Anthony D'Alessandro | publisher = Deadline.com | date = January 14, 2015 | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref> Prelimenary reports indicated that film would earn $45 - $50 million or more in its opening weekend.<ref name="Variety">{{cite web | url = http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-american-sniper-aims-for-biggest-weekend-of-clint-eastwoods-career-1201404206/ | title = Box Office: ‘American Sniper’ Aims for Biggest Weekend of Clint Eastwood’s Career | author = Brent Lang | publisher = ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' | date = January 14, 2015 | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="THR">{{cite web | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-american-sniper-763586 | title = Box-Office Preview: 'American Sniper' Set to Beat 'Wedding Ringer,' 'Blackhat' | author = Pamela McClintock | publisher = ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' | date = January 14, 2015 | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref>
Prior to its North American [[wide release|wide debute]], various critics and box office insiders predicted that the film would be a significant hit at the box office in its opening weekend, citing evidence of drawing faith-based and military crowds, and given how much Middle-Eastern war-time topics were in the headlines at that time, such as the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS threats]], and particularly in the wake of the [[Charlie Hebdo]] attacks.<ref name= "Deadline"/> [[Fandango (ticket service)|Fandango]] reported that the film accounted more than 70% of their pre-ticket sales and scoring 88 out of 100 points on Fandango’s ''Fanticipation'' movie buzz indicator. Reports also showed that the film was outselling 2014's war drama film ''[[Lone Survivor (film)|Lone Survivor]]''.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite web | url = http://deadline.com/2015/01/weekend-box-office-american-sniper-kevin-hart-the-wedding-ringer-paddington-blackhat-martin-luther-king-jr-1201349929/ | title = ‘American Sniper’ Targeting $50M+ Record Bow For Clint Eastwood: Box Office Preview | author = Anthony D'Alessandro | publisher = Deadline.com | date = January 14, 2015 | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref> Prelimenary reports indicated that film would earn $45 - $50 million or more in its opening weekend.<ref name="Variety">{{cite web | url = http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-american-sniper-aims-for-biggest-weekend-of-clint-eastwoods-career-1201404206/ | title = Box Office: ‘American Sniper’ Aims for Biggest Weekend of Clint Eastwood’s Career | author = Brent Lang | publisher = ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' | date = January 14, 2015 | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="THR">{{cite web | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-american-sniper-763586 | title = Box-Office Preview: 'American Sniper' Set to Beat 'Wedding Ringer,' 'Blackhat' | author = Pamela McClintock | publisher = ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' | date = January 14, 2015 | accessdate = January 15, 2015}}</ref>


In Italy, the film was released on December 31, 2014 and earned $7.1 million in its opening weekend.<ref name="$500million">{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2015/01/international-box-office-hobbit-taken-3-american-sniper-pk-angel-of-death-1201340651/ | title = ‘Hobbit’ Passes $500M; ‘American Sniper’, ‘Taken 3′ Skillful: Intl Box Office Update | author = Nancy Tartaglione | publisher = Deadline.com | date = January 4, 2015 | accessdate = January 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3993&p=.htm | title = Around-the-World Roundup: 'Hobbit' Marches To $500 Million Overseas | author = Ray Subers | publisher = Box Office Mojo | date = January 4, 2015 | accessdate = January 5, 2015}}</ref>
In Italy, the film was released on December 31, 2014 and earned $7.1 million in its opening weekend.<ref name="$500million">{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2015/01/international-box-office-hobbit-taken-3-american-sniper-pk-angel-of-death-1201340651/ | title = ‘Hobbit’ Passes $500M; ‘American Sniper’, ‘Taken 3′ Skillful: Intl Box Office Update | author = Nancy Tartaglione | publisher = Deadline.com | date = January 4, 2015 | accessdate = January 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3993&p=.htm | title = Around-the-World Roundup: 'Hobbit' Marches To $500 Million Overseas | author = Ray Subers | publisher = Box Office Mojo | date = January 4, 2015 | accessdate = January 5, 2015}}</ref>

Revision as of 04:45, 15 January 2015

American Sniper
A soldier wearing desert fatigues, a woman embraces him. They are standing in front of a tattered US flag.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byClint Eastwood
Written byJason Hall
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTom Stern
Edited byJoel Cox
Gary D. Roach
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • November 11, 2014 (2014-11-11) (AFI Fest)
  • December 25, 2014 (2014-12-25) (United States)
Running time
133 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$60 million[2]
Box office$17.8 million[3]

American Sniper is a 2014 American biographical war drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Jason Hall. It is based on Chris Kyle's autobiography American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History and stars Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller with Luke Grimes, Kyle Gallner, Sam Jaeger, Jake McDorman and Cory Hardrict in supporting roles.

The film had its world premiere on November 11, 2014, at the American Film Institute Festival, followed by a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 25, 2014. It will have a wide release on January 16, 2015.

Plot

Kyle works as a rodeo cowboy but wants more and signs up to become a Navy SEAL. He completes his training and meets his future wife. They are married after September 11, and he is deployed to Iraq as a sniper. He makes many kills, and is called "The Legend" but agonizes over the soldiers he could not save. At home his wife is pregnant and anxious.

Adjusting to life at home is difficult for his pregnant wife. Kyle appears calm and happy to be home. His child is born and he watches news footage and remains concerned about the war. He calls "them" savages, but his wife is more concerned about "us" and Kyle making it back home to his family.

Kyle reenlists for a second tour. He briefly meets his weary, disillusioned brother. Kyle has been promoted to Chief Petty Officer and is part of a group hunting down Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who are searching for his second in command known as "The Butcher". The insurgents have put a price on the head of Chris Kyle.

Home again Kyle encounters a soldier who thanks him for saving his life. His daughter has also been born, but his wife bemoans his distance even when he is there.

On his third tour one of Kyle's is seriously injured, and evacuated back to base. The unit decides to go back into the field and continue their assignment and another SEAL is shot dead by a sniper. Kyle flies home accompanying five coffins, and attends a funeral with his wife. As a mark of respect Kyle fixes his gold trident badge on to the casket, along with seven others. Kyle attributes the death to the soldier having given up, evidenced by a disillusioned letter read out at the funeral. Kyle feels compelled to return for another tour. His wife doesn't understand his decision, saying she needs him home.

From a rooftop Kyle spots a man with a rocket launcher and shoots him dead. A small boy picks up the weapon, Kyle wills him to put it down, ready to shoot him if necessary. Kyle is assigned a mission to take down an expert Iraqi sniper who has been picking off engineers building a barricade. A sniper team is placed inside enemy territory. Kyle spots the sniper but it is a risky long distance shot and is urged to wait for the rapid response team. He makes the shot but exposes their position, and a firefight ensues. Running short of ammunition they call in an air strike to their own position. Kyle calls his wife and tells her he is ready to come home. A sandstorm causes the strike to miss, but provides cover for their escape. Kyle, last to leave is wounded and almost left behind.

Kyle returns home. He is on-edge, and has some difficulty adjusting to ordinary life, but professes that he is "haunted by all the guys he couldn't save". The psychiatrist encourages him to help "save" soldiers in the hospital, and spend time with recovering veterans. From there he gradually adjusts to home life. While leaving home and saying goodbye to his family, his wife sees a veteran outside that Kyle is going to bring to the shooting range.

The text on screen reveals Kyle was killed by that veteran he was trying to help, followed by stock footage of people standing in line in the streets for his funeral procession, and thousands attending Cowboys Stadium for his memorial.

Cast

Production

On May 24, 2012, it was announced that Warner Bros. had acquired the rights to the book with Bradley Cooper set to produce and star in the screen adaptation.[4] In September 2012, David O. Russell stated that he was interested in directing the film.[15] On May 2, 2013, it was announced that Steven Spielberg would direct.[16] Spielberg had read Kyle's book, though he desired to have a more psychological conflict present in the screenplay so an "enemy sniper" character can serve as the insurgent sharpshooter who was trying to track down and kill Kyle. More of Spielberg's ideas continued to a lengthy screenplay approaching 160 pages. Due to Warner Bros.' budget restraints, Spielberg felt he couldn't bring his vision of the story to the screen.[2] On August 5, 2013, Spielberg dropped out of directing.[17] On August 21, 2013, it was reported that Clint Eastwood would instead direct the film.[18]

Casting

On March 14, 2014, Sienna Miller joined the cast.[5] On March 16, 2014, Kyle Gallner was cast[8] and March 18, 2014, Cory Hardrict was cast in the film.[11] On March 20, 2014, Navid Negahban, Eric Close, Eric Ladin, Rey Gallegos, and Jake McDorman also joined the cast, as did[10][12] Luke Grimes and Sam Jaeger, on March 25, 2014.[7][9] Kevin Lacz, a former Navy SEAL, is portraying himself and serving as a technical advisor.[14] Another former Navy SEAL, Joel Lambert, also joined the film; he'll portray a Delta sniper.[13] On June 3, Max Charles was added to the cast to portray Kyle's son, Colton Kyle.[6]

Filming

Principal photography began on March 31, 2014 in Los Angeles;[19] it was also partly shot in Morocco.[20] On April 23, the Los Angeles Times reported that ten days of filming set in an Afghan village was set to begin at the Blue Cloud Movie Ranch in the Santa Clarita area.[21] On May 7, shooting of the film was spotted around El Centro.[22][23] Later on May 14, Cooper was spotted filming some scenes in Culver City, California,[24] and then he followed by shooting scenes again in Los Angeles on May 16.[25] On May 30, Cooper and Miller were spotted during the filming of their characters' wedding scenes; they were filming aboard a yacht in Marina del Rey.[26] On June 3, Cooper was spotted in the form of a Navy SEAL marksman aiming during the filming of some scenes at a Los Angeles shooting range.[27]

Release

American Sniper premiered at AFI Fest on November 11, 2014, just after a screening of Selma at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles.[28] The film received a limited release in New York City, Los Angeles and Dallas on December 25, 2014, and will open nation-wide on January 16, 2015.[29]

Reception

Critical response

American Sniper received positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a rating of 75%, based on 76 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's consensus states, "Powered by Clint Eastwood's sure-handed direction and a gripping central performance from Bradley Cooper, American Sniper delivers a tense, vivid tribute to its real-life subject."[30] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 74 out of 100, based on reviews from 28 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[31]

Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter called the film "A taut, vivid and sad account of the brief life of the most accomplished marksman in American military annals, American Sniper feels very much like a companion piece—in subject, theme and quality—to The Hurt Locker."[32] Justin Chang of Variety gave the film a positive review, saying "Hard-wiring the viewer into Kyle’s battle-scarred psyche thanks to an excellent performance from a bulked-up Bradley Cooper, this harrowing and intimate character study offers fairly blunt insights into the physical and psychological toll exacted on the front lines, yet strikes even its familiar notes with a sobering clarity that finds the 84-year-old filmmaker in very fine form."[33] David Denby of The New Yorker gave the film a positive review, saying "Both a devastating war movie and a devastating antiwar movie, a subdued celebration of a warrior's skill and a sorrowful lament over his alienation and misery."[34] Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C+, saying "The film's just a repetition of context-free combat missions and one-dimensional targets."[35] Elizabeth Weitzman of New York Daily News gave the film four out of five stars, saying "The best movies are ever-shifting, intelligent and open-hearted enough to expand alongside an audience. American Sniper, Clint Eastwood's harrowing meditation on war, is built on this foundation of uncommon compassion."[36] Amy Nicholson of LA Weekly gave the film a C-, saying "Cautiously, Eastwood has chosen to omit Kyle's self-mythologizing altogether, which is itself a distortion of his character. We're not watching a biopic."[37] Kyle Smith of the New York Post gave the film four out of five stars, saying "After 40 years of Hollywood counterpropaganda telling us war is necessarily corrupting and malign, its ablest practitioners thugs, loons or victims, American Sniper nobly presents the case for the other side."[38]

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying "Bradley Cooper, as Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, and director Eastwood salute Kyle's patriotism best by not denying its toll. Their targets are clearly in sight, and their aim is true."[39] Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club gave the film a B, saying "American Sniper is imperfect and at times a little corny, but also ambivalent and complicated in ways that are uniquely Eastwoodian."[40] James Berardinelli of ReelViews gave the film three and a half stars out out of five, saying "American Sniper lifts director Clint Eastwood out of the doldrums that have plagued his last few films."[41] Rafer Guzman of Newsday gave the film three out of four stars, saying "Cooper nails the role of an American killing machine in Clint Eastwood's clear-eyed look at the Iraq War."[42] Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times gave the film a positive review, saying "Eastwood's impeccably crafted action sequences so catch us up in the chaos of combat we are almost not aware that we're watching a film at all."[43] Claudia Puig of USA Today gave the film three out of four stars, saying "It's clearly Cooper's show. Substantially bulked up and affecting a believable Texas drawl, Cooper embodies Kyle's confidence, intensity and vulnerability."[44] Inkoo Kang of The Wrap gave the film a negative review, saying "Director Clint Eastwood‘s focus on Kyle is so tight that no other character, including wife Taya (Sienna Miller), comes through as a person, and the scope so narrow that the film engages only superficially with the many moral issues surrounding the Iraq War."[45] Joshua Rothkopf of Time Out New York gave the film four out of five stars, saying "Just as only Nixon could go to China, only Clint Eastwood could make a movie about an Iraq War veteran and infuse it with doubts, mission anxiety and ruination."[46]

Box office

In North America, the film opened in 4 theaters at number 22 in its first weekend, with $633,456.[47] The following week the film earned $676,909 playing at the same number of location at an average of $169,277 per theater, which is the biggest second weekend average ever for a live-action movie (previously held by Moulin Rouge!).[48] American Sniper holds the record for the most entries in the top 20 Top Opening Weekend Theater Avarages for a limited release with 3 entries.[49] The film collected a total of $3.3 million from limited release.[50]

Prior to its North American wide debute, various critics and box office insiders predicted that the film would be a significant hit at the box office in its opening weekend, citing evidence of drawing faith-based and military crowds, and given how much Middle-Eastern war-time topics were in the headlines at that time, such as the ISIS threats, and particularly in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.[50] Fandango reported that the film accounted more than 70% of their pre-ticket sales and scoring 88 out of 100 points on Fandango’s Fanticipation movie buzz indicator. Reports also showed that the film was outselling 2014's war drama film Lone Survivor.[50] Prelimenary reports indicated that film would earn $45 - $50 million or more in its opening weekend.[51][52]

In Italy, the film was released on December 31, 2014 and earned $7.1 million in its opening weekend.[53][54]

Accolades

List of Accolades
Award / Film Festival Category Recipients Result
Art Directors Guild Awards[55] Excellence in Production Design for a Contemporary Film James J. Murakami, Charisse Cardenas Pending
ACE Eddie Awards[56] Best Edited Feature Film – Dramatic Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach Pending
American Film Institute Awards 2014[57] Top Ten Films of the Year Won
British Academy Film Awards[58] Best Adapted Screenplay Jason Dean Hall Pending
Best Sound Walt Martin, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff, Alan Robert Murray, Bub Asman Pending
Cinema Audio Society Awards[59] Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Motion Picture – Live Action Walt Martin, Gregg Rudloff, John Reitz, Robert Fernandez, Thomas J. O’Connell, James Ashwell Pending
Denver Film Critics Society[60][61] Best Picture American Sniper Won
Best Director Clint Eastwood Nominated
Best Actor Bradley Cooper (tied with Ralph Fiennes in The Grand Budapest Hotel) Won
Best Supporting Actress Sienna Miller Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Jason Dean Hall Nominated
Best Cinematography Tom Stern Nominated
Directors Guild of America Award[62] Outstanding Directing – Feature Film Clint Eastwood Pending
Iowa Film Critics[63] Best Movie Yet to Open in Iowa American Sniper (tied with A Most Violent Year) Won
MPSE Golden Reel Awards[64] Feature English Language - Effects/Foley Bub Asman, Alan Robert Murray Pending
National Board of Review[65] Top Ten Film Won
Best Director Clint Eastwood Won
Producers Guild of America Awards[66] Best Theatrical Motion Picture Bradley Cooper, Clint Eastwood, Andrew Lazar, Robert Lorenz, Peter Morgan Pending
Writers Guild of America Awards[67] Best Adapted Screenplay Jason Dean Hall Pending

See also

References

  1. ^ "AMERICAN SNIPER (15)". British Board of Film Classification. December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Ben Block, Alex (January 2, 2015). "The Making of 'American Sniper': How an Unlikely Friendship Kickstarted the Clint Eastwood Film". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 5, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "American Sniper (2014)". Box Office Mojo. IMDB. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Bradley Cooper Sets Up Navy SEAL Pic 'American Sniper' at Warner Bros. (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. May 24, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Sienna Miller Joins 'American Sniper' With Bradley Cooper - /Film". Slashfilm.com. March 14, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (June 3, 2014). "'Amazing Spider-Man' Actor to Play Bradley Cooper's Son in 'American Sniper'". thewrap.com. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "'Fifty Shades of Grey' Actor to Co-star With Bradley Cooper in 'American Sniper' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "'Dear White People' Star Kyle Gallner Joins Bradley Cooper in 'American Sniper' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. March 26, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Deadline, The. "Sam Jaeger Enlists For 'American Sniper'; Jon Tenney Joins 'The Best Of Me'". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "'Greek' Star Jake McDorman, Real Navy SEALs Join Bradley Cooper's 'American Sniper' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. March 20, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Deadline, The. "Daniel Bernhardt Joins 'Term Life'; 'American Sniper' Adds Cory Hardrict". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d e Deadline, The. "4 Join Clint Eastwood's 'American Sniper'". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Joel Lambert Books 'American Sniper'". deadline.com. May 16, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Hedelt, Rob (April 23, 2014). "King George: Ex-SEAL helping keep film on target; The News Desk". News.fredericksburg.com. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  15. ^ "Bradley Cooper and David O. Russell May Re-team for AMERICAN SNIPER". Collider.com. November 20, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "Steven Spielberg's Next Movie: 'American Sniper'". Hollywood Reporter. February 5, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  17. ^ Fleming, Mike. "Steven Spielberg Drops Out of Directing 'American Sniper'". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  18. ^ "Clint Eastwood in Talks to Direct 'American Sniper'". The Hollywood Reporter. August 21, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  19. ^ "On The Set For 3/31/14: Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy Start 'Spy' and Michael Fassbender Wraps 'Macbeth'". Studiosystemnews.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
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  21. ^ Verrier, Richard (April 23, 2014). "Eastwood starts shooting 'American Sniper' at Santa Clarita ranch". latimes.com. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
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  23. ^ Christine (May 8, 2014). "Bradley Cooper filming 'American Sniper' in El Centro, CA this week". onlocationvacations.com. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  24. ^ GUSMAROLI, DANIELLE (May 15, 2014). "Bradley Cooper shows off his bulkier frame on the set of American Sniper with co-star Sienna Miller after gaining a dramatic 40lbs for the role". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  25. ^ "Bradley Cooper Shoots Scenes for "American Sniper" in LA". gossipcenter.com. May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  26. ^ KIRBY, IONA (May 31, 2014). "You may now kiss the bride! Sienna Miller looks stunning in a wedding dress while smooching Bradley Cooper for American Sniper scene". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  27. ^ CARPENTER, CASSIE (June 4, 2014). "Camouflage-clad Bradley Cooper takes aim as a Navy SEAL marksman on the LA set of American Sniper". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  28. ^ "'American Sniper' Is AFI Fest's Secret Screening". deadline.com. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  29. ^ "Warner Bros. Dates 'American Sniper'; Moves 'Point Break', 'Man From U.N.C.L.E'". deadline.com. August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
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  33. ^ Justin Chang. "'American Sniper' Review: Bradley Cooper Stars in Clint Eastwood's Powerful War Movie". Variety. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  34. ^ David Denby (December 22, 2014). ""Selma" and "American Sniper" Reviews". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  35. ^ Chris Nashawaty. "American Sniper Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  36. ^ Elizabeth Weitzman. "'American Sniper': Movie review". NY Daily News. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  37. ^ Amy Nicholson (December 22, 2014). "American Sniper Is a Rah-Rah War-on-Terror Fantasy". LA Weekly. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  38. ^ Kyle Smith. "'American Sniper' is the year's most extraordinary film". New York Post. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  39. ^ Peter Travers. "'American Sniper' Movie Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  40. ^ Ignatiy Vishnevetsky. "Review: Clint Eastwood's American Sniper is a war movie that's tensest on the home front". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  41. ^ James Berardinelli. "Reelviews Movie Reviews". ReelViews. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  42. ^ Rafer Guzman. "'American Sniper' review: Bradley Cooper nails the role". Newsday.
  43. ^ Kenneth Turan (December 24, 2014). "Review: 'American Sniper' goes above and beyond war-hero tradition - LA Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  44. ^ Claudia Puig (December 23, 2014). "Bradley Cooper's aim is true in 'American Sniper'". USA Today. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  45. ^ Inkoo Kang. "'American Sniper' Review: War Plays Out Like a Video Game in Clint Eastwood's Navy SEAL Biopic". TheWrap. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  46. ^ Joshua Rothkopf. "American Sniper". Time Out New York. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  47. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for December 26-28, 2014". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  48. ^ Ray Subers (January 4, 2015). "Weekend Report: 'Hobbit' Finale Three-Peats on First Weekend of 2015". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  49. ^ "TOP WEEKEND THEATER AVERAGES". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  50. ^ a b c Anthony D'Alessandro (January 14, 2015). "'American Sniper' Targeting $50M+ Record Bow For Clint Eastwood: Box Office Preview". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  51. ^ Brent Lang (January 14, 2015). "Box Office: 'American Sniper' Aims for Biggest Weekend of Clint Eastwood's Career". Variety. Retrieved January 15, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  52. ^ Pamela McClintock (January 14, 2015). "Box-Office Preview: 'American Sniper' Set to Beat 'Wedding Ringer,' 'Blackhat'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 15, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  53. ^ Nancy Tartaglione (January 4, 2015). "'Hobbit' Passes $500M; 'American Sniper', 'Taken 3′ Skillful: Intl Box Office Update". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  54. ^ Ray Subers (January 4, 2015). "Around-the-World Roundup: 'Hobbit' Marches To $500 Million Overseas". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  55. ^ "'Birdman', 'Foxcatcher' Among Art Directors Guild Nominees". Deadline.com. January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  56. ^ "'American Sniper,' 'Boyhood,' 'Gone Girl' Among ACE Eddie Award Nominees (FULL LIST)". Variety. January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  57. ^ "AFI List of Top Ten Films Expands to Include 11 Movies". The Hollywood Reporter. December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  58. ^ "BAFTA Nominations: 'Grand Budapest Hotel' Leads With 11 – Full List". Deadline.com. January 8, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  59. ^ "Cinema Audio Society Nominates 'American Sniper,' 'True Detective' and More". Indiewire. January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  60. ^ "Denver critics nominate 'American Sniper,' 'Birdman' and 'Inherent Vice'". Hitfix. January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  61. ^ "Denver critics name Clint Eastwood's 'American Sniper' the year's best film". Hitfix. January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  62. ^ "DGA Awards Film Nominations: Anderson, Eastwood, Inarritu, Linklater, Tyldum". Deadline.com. January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  63. ^ "'Boyhood' is Iowa Critics' Best Picture of 2014". Hitfix. January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  64. ^ "'Birdman,' 'Apes' Top 2015 Golden Reel Nominations". Deadline.com. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  65. ^ "National Board of Review Announces 2014 Award Winners". National Board of Review. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  66. ^ "'American Sniper,' 'Birdman' & 'Boyhood' Among PGA Awards Nominees". Deadline.com. January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  67. ^ "Writers Guild Awards Nominations: 'Whiplash', 'Gone Girl', 'Guardians' On Diverse List". Deadline.com. January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
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