Jarhead is a war movie that is similar to many war movies, and yet still has enough original scenes and performances to make it somewhat interesting. I have to add to this first comment though; if you like war films you will like Jarhead and if you hate war films you will hate Jarhead. Perhaps author and main character, Anthony “Tony” Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal), said it better in a quote from the film, “Every war is different, every war is the same.”

Jarhead is a story of the war to win back Kuwait from Sadam as seen through the eyes of one marine, Anthony “Tony” Swofford. Swofford relates his story through a first person account of what he encountered during the operations of “Desert Shield” and later “Desert Storm”. The film follows Swofford through basic training, elite sniper training, and then the actual deployment into the first Iraqi war following the invasion of Iraq into Kuwait.

Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) demonstrates the dual concept of most soldiers; the twin or mirror image that most soldiers are both tough and hardened and at the same time inexperienced and naive. The film also, as most war films do, presents a variety of characters. This is such a common feature and expected from every war film; but luckily, Jarhead was able to present a few different and unique characters. Troy (Peter Sarsgaard was Swofford’s early nemesis and later, as one might expect, one of his best friends and comrades. Staff Sergeant Sykes (Jamie Foxx) was the tough but still caring company sergeant. Fergus (Brian Geraghty) was the detail’s most naive and inexperienced marine. Fergus was that marine that everyone has to watch and to take care of each day. The character I find the most interesting and unique is the character of Kruger (Lucas Black). Why did I find this character to be the most unique and interesting? The answer is simple. I think he is probably the first “Southern” speaking, intelligent, and knowledgeable military figure in ages. Generally the “Southern” character is the one that is “gung ho” never question just do; but Kruger breaks that mold. He actually questions many of the things the “jarheads” are told.

Jarhead certainly shows the fear and blackness of war, but just as importantly shows the down time, or times of excruciating boredom. It seems to be those times that are actually the hardest for these marines. Sitting and waiting lends times to thinking, worrying, and questioning. During the combat situations there was not enough time to think or worry at all. This film did a good job of showing the painfulness of those times when there was nothing to do at all.

I was really impressed with some of the performances in this film. Jake Gyllenhaal was really very good in this role. I do not think I would have imagined he could have been, but he was a true “Jarhead” in this film. Lucas Black always impresses me. He seems to be one of those just natural actors. He always seems to be that maybe one “real” person used in the film. I have enjoyed him since the first film I saw him in, Sling Blade. I have enjoyed him in others, and now in this film also. Jamie Foxx always takes me aback a little. Each time I see him in a film, I go in thinking he cannot be good in this. Each time he has proven me wrong. He has proven himself as one of the world’s most impressive and talented actors.

Jarhead is a typical war film with that traditional message; the war never seems to end for those who fought. Swofford’s quote to open the film expresses this sentiment best, ” A story: A man fires a rifle for many years, and he goes to war. And afterward he turns the rifle in at the armory, and he believes he's finished with the rifle. But no matter what else he might do with his hands, love a woman, build a house, change his son's diaper; his hands remember the rifle.” Jarhead is a typical war movie, but it is still a good movie and one worth seeing.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older