While there were a few really entertaining moments in this film such as his smart-ass comments to the above-mentioned drill sergeant, overall, this is a drama at its heart. Swofford comes from a troubled family, his father and uncle both having served in the Vietnam War. He begins to rethink his decision to join the Marines almost immediately, but is soon recruited to join the elite sniper squad by Staff Sergeant Sykes, played by Jamie Foxx (Ray, Collateral), who turns in a very realistic performance. With his partner, Troy (Peter Sarsgaard of Flight Plan and Garden State) in tow, they begin their journey of becoming "Jarheads", full-fledged elite Marines.
Soon, Swoff's platoon is sent to Kuwait, to patrol oilfields and watch and wait. Jarhead explores the pain and loneliness of being away from friends and loved ones, the intolerable conditions of heat and filth in the Kuwaiti desert, and the sheer madness that sometimes descends from the seemingly endless waiting... waiting for the war to begin.
Once the actual combat does finally begin, it seems to end as quickly as it began, both for the audience and for Swofford. However, getting an actual behind-the-scenes look at what life must have been for those involved in the Gulf War was interesting. I'd also imagine that the movie is much more intense and enjoyable for those having served in the military, because they would easily get all of the inside jokes and situations that just seem so foreign to someone with no military ties.
As for Bonus Features, there are deleted scenes, some Ally McBeal-esque fantasy scenes, which are fairly amusing, the full editions of the abbreviated News Interviews that occur in the movie, as well as a number of commentaries. The two-disc special Collector's Edition contains features such as Jarhead Diaries, Background (cameras following real Marines who appeared as extras in the film), and Semper Fi: Life After the Corps, all of which have introductions by Director Sam Mendes (of American Beauty fame) and Semper Fi having an audio intro by author Anthony Swofford. Those who are more hardcore military should probably opt for the Collector's Edition if they are looking for extra goodies.
Overall, Jarhead was an alright movie. It's not something I would want to see over and over, but it is a revealing look at one man's experience with the Gulf War.
