this movie has so many f- bombs that kids can't repeat

This is definitly one of those movies that every young adult should see. Especially those considering the military. The story is realistic. The characters are believable. And the content is not too bad given how far they could have gone.

its sucks its only for teens & growing ups.

This film can be summed up by the lyrics of a single song 'War... huh... what is it good for...absolutly nothing, say it again', i forget who the song is by, but you get the picture. Yet while it manages to display the dissilusionment often felt about modern political war, the film manages to stay clear of too many cleches that surround what life in the miltary is like. This balance is most notable in the role of Sworff played by Jake Gyllenhaal. who simultauously critricses the marine corps, yet willingly partakes in the life he is presented with as a result of being in the marine corps!! All in all the film is an intelligent look into the military and war with the indervidual stories of people found within the marine corps taking the main focus rather than any overt political comment. in my opinion this adds to the films genius, by presenting the facts and reality of the characters it leaves the audience to decide what to make of what happens within the film. In this way forcing the audience to think, and distencing itself from other shoot um up action films where answers to moral dilemers are often given in neat little packages. with this film you have to face in full, the range of human capabilites and feelings, from heroism to cowadice, to anger, hate and love, its all there.

good movie but if you were in the military you will understand

This is a well made film with good pacing, amazing scenery and special effects (digging foxholes in a burning oilfield flooded with oil, charred bodies and burned out vehicles, human branding), and excellent acting. What it lacks is plot and a point. Unless, the point is that there is no point and there is no beginning, middle and end to war. One leaves this film feeling that one has an inside look at what it is like to be a Marine and to be on the desert in war. There is way more swearing and sexual content than in most war movies. Except for a very graphic scene of the charred bodies after Allied bombing of an Iraqi highway, there is really not much violence or gore. This is mostly about feeling trapped and frustrated and disappointed. I want to read the book now. There seems to be a really good story trying to get out of the main character. I don't think we really get access to the best part of the story in this movie.

I think this was a great movie.The sex scenes were a little iffy, but other than that it was okay.

This was truly an excellant film. For one thing, it is extremly funny. But it is much more than that. It is probably as close to modern warfare as can be dipicted in a movie. I have heard a few first hand stories of Iraq veterans, and this film comes very close to hitting the mark. The soldiers are fighting boredom, not a horrific enemy. There are no huge, epic, stomach churning conflicts in the film. That is because the movie wants to be more serious than that. It is not a pretentious, action packed bloodbath in the vein of Private Ryan. It is a soldiers story, clear and simple, and I think every teenage kid interested in modern warfare and potentialy fighting should see THIS film, not Saving Private Ryan.

Jarhead is a brilliant film. With exceptional pacing, acting, and cinematography, and a fascinating premise, it does well across the boards. All the same, this is one that I would strongly caution parents about; I would recommend that only older, very mature teens be allowed to see it. There are some disturbing war images, alarming transformations in the soldiers, and a few scenes of graphic sexuality; but what truly is the problem in this movie is the language. When the CSM reviewer there were hundreds of instances of the f-word, this was not an exaggeration: to be exact, are 278 instances of that swear alone. So: adults, enjoy. But in terms of your teenager(s), think wisely.