Jarhead (2005)

American Boredom: Every War is the Same

American Boredom: Every War is the Same

There is a mantra within the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) community that the work is defined by extended periods of intense boredom interrupted by occasional moments of sheer terror. The same has been said, I believe, of war (and marriage too perhaps). This is the primary message that is being made within this finely crafted piece on modern warfare. That and what this sort of pattern does to a man's psyche. However there are many other specific points of consideration that are touched upon during the film within this larger contextual premise.

One of the strengths of `Jarhead' is that is manages to maintain a healthy comedic tone throughout most of its entirety. The humor is, though at times perhaps crude, nonetheless true to life and consistent with the type that emerges from within the safety of the camaraderie found in such a setting. To compare this film to Full Metal jacket is unfair. FMJ was iconic with its brutal depiction of basic training and the preparations for war. Attempts at humor were minimal when present at all. `Jarhead' is not only unique with its contrary approach but highly effective in making its points along the way. Its gradual progression into a more serious piece of work correlates with the transition of the young men in the film into active war combatants. It's logical artistically and it works.

The acting is strong throughout, anchored by Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Fox, and talented more unknowns like Lucas Black and Chris Cooper in supporting roles. The points within the film, aside from the central aforementioned premise, relate to political motivations for war (like oil), suicide/mental health issues in combat veterans, friendly fire concerns, and the masturbatory practices of young men in isolation. It is at times tragic but the humor is what keeps it together and smooths the consumption of the more serious topics broached.

Mendes exhibited his mastery previously with `American Beauty' and he does so again in a polar opposite setting. Do yourself and favor and check out `Jarhead'. Amidst the regular clutter of banal mediocrity in modern film and the overpopulated collection of similar war movies, lies this treasure. A thinking man's piece if not a masterpiece. And a fine one at that.

-Rusty Scalpel
December 16, 2008

Jarhead - Blu-ray Info

Version: U.S.A / Region A, B, C
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
VC-1 BD-25 / Advanced Profile 3
Running time: 2:02:50
Movie size: 21,42 GB
Disc size: 22,05 GB
Average video bit rate: 15.91 Mbps
Number of chapters: 20

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3840 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3840 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS Audio French 768 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit
DTS Audio Spanish 768 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround

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E.U / Japan

DTS 5.1 : German / French / Italian / Spanish / Japanese
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 : English

Subtitles: German, English SDH, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Danish, Norwegisch, Finnish, Swedish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Greek

#Audio commentary
#Swoffs fantasies
#Interviews
#Deleted Scenes
#Jarhead records
#Background Info
#Semper Fi documentary
#My scenes

****************************************************************** December 11, 2008

Every Man Fights His Own War

This movie is hugely underrated, and often poorly misrepresented. At least it appears so from a lot of these reviews.
Perhaps as others have said, it was and still is marketed incorrectly, as some believe the absence of "War-like Violence" leaves much to be desired.
But define war?? At least in its true, non text book sense and this movie will speak volumes.
It's an incredibly intelligent, poignant and heartbreakingly honest film, driven by 'the wait' for an enemy that never emerged.
Perhaps our ignorance for such a film proves our ignorance towards the true mechanisms and often extreme waste that war is.
Mission to kill?
We seem to forget the stories of those who did nothing but kill time in the desert.
As the film concludes; "He will always remain, a jarhead. And all the jarheads, killing and dying, they will always be me...
We are still in the desert"
5 stars...
If you're intelligent enough to understand it, you'll never forget it
November 25, 2008

Interesting Movie

Too bad HD-DVD is dead, but if you still own a player, this is a great movie for the price. I think those of us who are soldiers and have been to Iraq can understand this movie a little better than those who haven't. Some of the scences can be too close to home and somewhat overbearing for non-military viewers, but helps to remind us how much of a sacrifice we made in both wars. The picture quality and sound delivers, though this more of an enhanced DVD than a true HD movie. October 19, 2008

Really wants to be Apocalypse Now...

If you want a war move that probes the depths of madness and incorporates surerealism while exploring the lives of soldiers trapped in a pointless microcosm of a wider war, you have two options. Get a pretty lame and boring variation on this theme in Jarhead, or get Apocalypse Now. The later is the infinitely better choice. October 14, 2008

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