I had the opportunity to watch American Sniper this past weekend. Let me preface this by saying that I am pro peace. Please do not conflate my support for the movie with support for the war policy.
American Sniper does not seem to glorify war by any contortion. The movie depicts a Navy SEAL sniper, Chris Kyle, as one who is reluctant to pull the trigger unless necessary to protect his fellow troops. It also shows the hardship that families endure from being fragmented during deployment.
The critics of Chris Kyle would be much more efficient at making a case against war by focusing on the policy rather than the pawns. Kyle's politically incorrect language aside, he had a mission to protect his countrymen. For that, he can't be faulted.
Attacking the character of Chris Kyle for doing what was required of him in the theater of operations is tantamount to wishing death upon American service members. This is why it's paramount that critics remember their true goal: not mission failure, but that flawed missions would never happen.
I see myself in Chris Kyle. But rather than protecting the troops in battle as Chris did, my purpose is to protect the troops by keeping them out of suicide missions altogether. We can't afford more war and we don't take care of returning veterans properly. My mission is to make sure not another disabled veteran is created.
I nearly came to tears at the end of the movie. But watching Chris Kyle come to life in American Sniper made me walk out of the theater with a smile on my face as it gave me a renewed sense of strength.