Clint Eastwood's 2014 war drama American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper, will leave Netflix on 5 November, and fans have been praising it as a 'masterpiece' that rivals classic war films.
The film, which earned six Academy Award nominations and one win, follows Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, whose accuracy saves lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. The official synopsis states: "Navy S.E.A.L. sniper Chris Kyle's pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home with his family after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind."
Cast and Box Office Success
Sienna Miller plays the female lead alongside Cooper, with Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban, and Keir O'Donnell in supporting roles. The film is adapted from the 2012 memoir of the same title written by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice.
American Sniper was a commercial success, generating $547 million worldwide against a production budget of roughly $59 million. It received nominations for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Cooper, and won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing.
Critical and Fan Reactions
Critics praised the film, with one writing: "It's not often that a movie can spur a reaction from both the heart and the mind, and this film does just that." Another said: "American Sniper does the near impossible, celebrating the warrior spirit while refusing to look away from the chaos it generates. It will leave you with your pulse racing, and your heart aching."
One critic compared it favourably to another acclaimed war film, noting: "Although it is a better written and made film then The Hurt Locker which won the Oscar, American Sniper is just as determined to ring emotional bells for an America that has lost much of its self assurance on the world stage." Another added: "American Sniper may not be the strongest biopic in the genre, but it is on par with other acclaimed military action-thrillers like Black Hawk Down or The Hurt Locker."
Viewers have been equally enthusiastic. One fan said: "An intense and gripping war movie with powerful performances, realistic combat scenes, and an emotional story. A must-watch for war movie lovers!" Another posted on IMDb: "Man..... This film hits me like a truck. Everything about this film is perfect, the sound editing, the acting, the action sequences are perfect. This film is a masterpiece and one of the best war movies I've seen since 'Saving Private Ryan'. Overall, it is one of the greatest war films that I have ever seen."
One fan noted: "Every now and then a movie comes out that is just fantastic and American Sniper is one of them. Its the only movie I would give 10 out of 10 The acting is great. Action is brilliant. Story was outstanding. A great true story that is the best movie of the year. Loved it." They continued: "Clint Eastwood did a great job of making a classic film that will go on for years. Its no wonder it is a box office success, the movie was great. The ending could not have been made any better, the impact it had on the audience was pretty dramatic. You have got to see it."
American Sniper is available to stream on Netflix until 4 November.
