Arizona Sen. John McCain has offered praise for the movie "American Sniper" as well as a defense against those who have maligned the blockbuster hit depicting the life of the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.
"I congratulate Clint Eastwood and the entire cast and crew of 'American Sniper' for an outstanding cinematic achievement honoring the life of a genuine American hero, Chris Kyle," McCain, the new chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee,
said in a statement.
"This film depicts with subtlety and compassion those brave few who serve our nation in uniform, their experiences in the horror of war, the burdens they often bear upon returning home, and the untold sacrifices of their families," he said.
Kyle is considered the deadliest sniper in American military history. The film shows his life before he joined the military and his four tours of duty during the Iraq War, including the affect it had on his personal life, until he died when he was shot by a mentally ill veteran in 2013.
The film and Kyle have both
been criticized by liberal documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, actor Seth Rogan and others, who say that the film glorifies violence and offers a one-sided view of the Muslim insurgents.
"It is deeply regrettable that obsessive critics of U.S. foreign policy have sought to disparage this film and denigrate the memory of a noble American warrior," said McCain, who is a Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war.
"Fortunately, their pettiness has not stopped millions of Americans from seeing 'American Sniper,' and hopefully in the process, gaining a greater appreciation for the service and sacrifice of America's military service members and their families," the Arizona Republican added.
"American Sniper" has been nominated for six Oscars and surpassed $200 million in ticket sales. It is likely that it will surpass the highest-grossing military-based film, "Saving Private Ryan," which made $216.5 million in 1998.
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