JAR HEAD

It was always the GI Joe versus the bad guy, the green army men against the tan ones, it was these childhood play times that lead to be instilled with the thought of American superiority in military might. We as children in the country were installed like machines that to be a solider meant to be a protector of peace and all that is good. My childhood, and still much so today, perception of OUR own US soldiers was that they are great, they are the good guys. The recent film “Jar Head” painted quiet a different picture in my mind of our heroic figures protecting our precious freedoms. This movie I believe has affected our nation in many ways. The film came out in the time of our nation’s ongoing war with the Iraqi terrorists. This film is very different from past ones in its portrayal of our nation’s troops. The movies slogan I believe makes a very strong statement, every man fights his own way. This opening statement of the film I think makes a powerful statement saying that the modern solider isn’t like our GI Joes we played with back in the day, these modern soldiers (according to the film) are men who fight alone, not together as a nation, and perhaps for their own reasons, not for our freedoms? The film itself shows the struggles of our soldiers, the effects of time, environment, and the physical and mental toll the war has taken on them. These images of soldiers enduring strains of war show Americans back home that our troops aren’t like the action figures of our youth. I think that this movie showed Americans the truth about our troops, and in some cases I think that it did us justice. Many people have become more aware of the sacrifice our troops have made for us. many Americans now respect our nations warriors with a greater degree, which in turn brings our country together as a loyal nation, not a divided government system.