Released: 11/4/05

Viewed: 1:35pm 11/6/05

Starring: Jake Gyllenhal, Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper, Dennis Haysbert

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Jarhead is the true story of a young sniper in the Gulf war. It's a fine example of great acting, directing, with unique storytelling, but before anything this movie is true. Mercilessly true. A lot of you may be getting excited at the prospect of a true to life war movie, and all the blood and guts and blown off feet that implies, but this movie's truth is it's downfall. Because real life is boring.

To call this a war movie is to call Agent Cody Banks a war movie. At least Cody got in a fight. Jarhead is more a study of the human condition under certain circumstances. In that, it's nothing short of brilliant.

You understand what they're going through, you see how they unravel. If you had joined the story at the end you may think them crazy, but since you've taken the journey with them it's completely believable.

This is a story, not about the fight, rather about waiting for the fight. Waiting for that perfect moment, that perfect kill to finally present itself. Half way through you feel like you won't be complete until you've seen them get that kill. And as Sarsgaard freaks out in that bunker, proving he's earned the credibility he has in Hollywood over and over again, you want that kill. Can you taste it? It's that close.

If you're going in expecting the fight, you're going to be disappointed. If you were in the Gulf or any war, you'll either love it for what it reminds you of, or hate it for what it reminds you of. If you're a person that appreciates art for the sake of art, well then this is right up your alley. I feel like I can appreciate art in film, but part of me would welcome a lovely clich?d ending.

It's brave for them to say so true to life, especially when nothing obviously exciting happens. It's the sort of exciting you have to work for. That's fine, but most movie goers aren't willing to take that trip. It's why I'm nit surprised the movie did so well opening weekend, and then disappeared.

It does have its moments. Lots of humor, lots of tension all at the surface ready to burst at any second. It's great in it's way. What it was able to do really well was make me uncomfortable, which may sound like I'm being a sarcastic ass, but if a movie can really get to you, even negatively, that's an achievement.

The area that really got to me was infidelity. There was so much about wives and girlfriends leaving their loved ones as they were over seas. It sucks because these guys are in love, and there's NOTHING they can do about. There aren't phones or e-mails they can use on a daily basis. So we just see letters come in and hearts get broken. That feeling of not knowing what's going on with someone you love so much ? that made me frustrated as hell.

I'm really not the jealous type, but I've joked with Yeo before saying "If you ever cheat on me, you will never see me again. Ever. And I'm taking one of the cats. The good one." We laugh about it, but it's so true. I have no room for cheating in my life, and if it ever happened, even though I would be a complete mess emotionally, I would be gone forever.

So that part of the movie really got under my skin, and it keeps coming back in the story like a fly you've failed at killing, and failed at ignoring, and you eventually just have to deal with. It's really good film making to interweave this, and other themes, in and out throughout the entire movie. It would have been real easy to do the "Love stinks" section, then end it and do the "I'm scared of guns" section. Etc. But the themes remain. That's cool. The acting is great all around, Gyllenhal is starting to make noteworthy movies, but I feel like for all his efforts he still doesn't have the one movie to launch him into true stardom. It's like he keeps making Risky Business and can't find his Top Gun. He's great though. Oscar worthy maybe.

I hate bandwagons, but Foxx is very good too. It was so much cooler to sing his praises after Collateral. I mean, credit where credit is due, he does a good job here, but I still haven't gotten the taste of Stealth out of my mouth.

My initial reaction of Jarhead was strongly negative. It's a movie without an ending. You may get all arts fartsy on me and say that the no ending IS an ending, but this is Joe Loves Crappy Movies, not Joe likes to be talked down to. I get it, seriously, but I didn't get what I really wanted.

2 weeks later, after mulling it all over I've accepted the path they took. In the moment though, I was real disappointed.

I do apologies to any current soldiers or veterans that may be insulted by the comic or anything said in the review. I understand, as my readers should, that the views represented in Jarhead are only one aspect of war. While it was slow and dull on the surface, it does not mean that this is the case for everyone involved with the Gulf war. As is well documented, many men and women were killed and injured serving the US. It is not my intention to make light of that in my comic. If you were offended, you have my sincere apologies, as well as my thanks for the risks you take to represent us. It can't be easy; you're brave to do so. 6 out of 10

Wait for the shot? wait for it? and whether it comes or not try not to be disappointed. Just remember how good the waiting was. .

DVD worthy?: Not for me. It's a great testimony of what happens in war and what war is really like. I understood and appreciated the messages coming through, but didn't feel they were strong enough to revisit on a regular basis. There are soldiers and veterans and patriots that will latch on to this and proudly rewatch it. For those that feel that passionately about it, it's worth owning.

If you liked this movie check out: Full Metal Jacket

Full Metal Jacket or even Platoon are the best movies by comparison. They seem to be Vietnams best translations of life in war, and that's what Jarhead is to the war in the Middle East. But if you're looking for action go with Saving Private Ryan. The talent and bankroll that come with the Spielberg name really show in the action scenes. Story wise it's a little specific to one part of the puzzle, and it gets a little mushy but it's good entertainment.

Trailer Hitch: Munich

This is the new film from Spielberg who in recent years has been able to gracefully combine huge action visual monstrous films and story based character studies. Few do it as well. Munich, stars Eric Bana a hit man and seems to focus in on the balance between right and wrong that most hit men must struggle with at some point. What happens when you go down to the level of the men you're killing? Are you any worse then they are when you kill them, and any innocents that may get in the way?

Sort of an obvious dilemma, but a universal question can be really entertaining in the right hands.

If you vote at the Web Comics List you'll get a little picture of me at war. Nothing special, I couldn't come up with anything better.

Thanks for reading. If you missed the review for Walk the Line yesterday, click on back. Great movie, and I was pretty pleased with how the comic came out, if I do say so myself. Also don't forget about the limited edition "Kiss My Muggle Ass" available only at the Digital Pimp Store. Pre-order lasts until the 2nd, then it will never be available again!