A young boy and his mother run into an open courtyard, facing an approaching entourage of American soldiers. The woman clutches a long metal tube in her arms, passing it along to the boy. The boy grabs it. He runs; he runs towards the group of American soldiers. The metal tube in his hand? It’s a grenade. The American sniper, Chris Kyle has five seconds to make a decision. Does he kill the young boy about to throw a bomb at American soldiers and become a hero, or does he let the boy live in hopes that the bomb will not work?

American Sniper is about a man named Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper, who trades family, comfort and safety for the atrocities of war. Because of a undeniable sense of duty, he saves countless lives, but he cannot escape the impact war has on his life.

American sniper was not made to instill pride in Americans. It was also not made to blame soldiers. This movie is a blunt portrayal of war and the effects it has on many American soldiers. When the ending credits roll across the screen, be prepared to feel mixed emotions. Sadness, anger, fear and respect are instilled upon the viewers. It is through beautiful cinematography and spot-on acting that American Sniper is able to evoke such emotions from the audience.

One cinematic feature that especially stands out is how the camera allows the audience to see as the character would. In one scene, the audience sees the action through a telescope, and in another, the screen becomes enveloped in fog. Bradley cooper, playing Chris Kyle, handles each of these scenes with ease, taking on the role with the dominance a Navy SEAL demands.

The box office estimates $200 million have been made since the release, along with six Oscar nominations. To make sure you do not miss out on this incredible movie, head on over to your local theater and see what all the buzz is about.