Just saw the movie and loved it.
The guy playing Chris Kyle was great, and they really conveyed what it was like, the stress on folks, and showed them handling it like real men.
They definitely changed real operational details into representative composites (which I really like - maintaining operational security) while still keeping it real. Like they make an al queada sniper into a particular villain for the whole movie, and they finally have it out dramatically in Sadr City. I’m guessing he was a composite character for the purposes of good story-telling. No doubt they did identify and hunt down particular enemy snipers, but Sadr City is not a place where a Sunni al queada guy would have had a very long operational run.
I think that it is good that they disguised particulars like that, and I did not ever get frustrated during the movie by some unrealistic crap, or some heavy-handed political point - I thought that it was a great representation, and full of realistic action. It was poignant how they showed the effects of stress without making guys look like pussies or psychos.
Great action movie, and you come away feeling proud of our troops.
I did note at the end of the movie, the crowd was unusually quiet, a bit like after seeing Schindler’s List. Some folks stood there for a bit, like they were thinking of saluting, or standing at attention, like they were moved to pay tribute.
Saw the movie last night with my son-in-law who has served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Huge audience, and the next show was lined up an hour ahead.
It really brought home the stress they see, particularly from lengthy and multiple tours - both the soldier and their families.
All I can say regarding the end of the movie was that the audience shared a quiet, deserved reverence for a great American hero. I agree - the only comparison of the audience reaction is Schindler’s list.