The Men Who Stare at Goats

I saw two movies this past weekend and of the two this was by far the superior movie.  It would be difficult for “The Men Who Stare At Goats” not to be better with such superior actors as George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey. 

This movie is the story of a newspaper reporter (Ewan McGregor) who stumbles into a story about something called Project Jedi. At first he dismisses it, but after he discovers that his wife is involved with his editor he decides to go to Kuwait to report on the war in Iraq.  While becalmed at a hotel he runs into one of the Jedi (George Clooney).  Through a process of introduction better left to the film, the two of them end up on the road to an unknown destination deep within Iraq.  On their journey they encounter kidnappers, terrorists, fellow travelers and goats.  They are involved in firefights and scientific experiments on their way to their destination.  What they find at this destination is best left for the readers to decide for themselves. 

I was shocked to find how much I enjoyed this movie.  I’m not a huge fan of George Clooney, but he is amazingly good as the Jedi Warrior Lyn.  Jeff Bridges is, as always, fantastic and you can’t go wrong with weird by casting Kevin Spacey.  But, the man who steals the show is Ewan McGregor.  He is funny, frustrated, confused and determined to understand all at the same time through most of the movie and we are right there with him.  The acting is exceptional and the directing well done in the main.

On the downside, this movie is unlikely to stand the test of time as well as it should due mostly to all the inside jokes about the Jedi.  It plays funny now because it isn’t difficult to picture Ewan McGregor as Obi Won.  In many ways this movie is a send up of the Star Wars pictures and of the Star Wars expenditures by the United States government in the 1980’s. 

This is a very good film that I would strongly recommend.  It’s rated R for language, nudity and violence, but it’s a great date movie for the 18 year old crowd as well as adults.  The humor isn’t as edgy and dark as some would like it, but that makes the movie better.  We all take ourselves so seriously these days and this movie does a magnificent job of sending us all laughing at ourselves, our government and our lives.  It’s a good film.  I would watch it again.  Thanks and happy watching!!!