Combat Obscura

...and for that alone it's probably worth a watch. As a former veteran (and the ONLY reason I mention that is to point out I know what it's like to be under Uncle Sam's thumb) it's both novel and slightly shocking to see this raw view of combat Marines in "global war on terror". The sight of seeing young Marines in a combat zone partaking in weed (presumably there was just no access to the more traditional alcohol) is just one of several candid revelations in this otherwise conventional documentary. I'd be very interested to know the reactions of the Marine brass on seeing "Obscura"... but fortunately, all the UCMJ evil-doer Marines are all safely discharged into civilian life and beyond the reach of the military legal system.

For showing Marines in a true, unvarnished and uncensored way, along with showing some of the unpleasant truths that the American press has been ordered to conceal from the American public, "Combat Obscura" manages to set itself apart from all of the many Nat Geo style, DOD-approved-and-censored documentaries made about the "Forever Wars", so far.

I know for certain that this is not the realities of war, but a cinematic Hollywood adaptation to the world, but nonetheless the film provides an insight. I'm very grateful for the reality in which the film provides As for my comments on how the USA military is... I'll keep that to myself.

With its scattered and non-narrative storytelling, it is definitely not for those viewers who aren't typically drawn to documentaries.

BUT if you're a doc lover, this one is amazing. It is insightful, honest, brutal, and-at times-truly difficult to watch due to the graphic content. I had a visceral reaction to this film; I was angry and saddened by the behavior of these young men, while at the same time experiencing their fear and loneliness.

Not to get too literary about a movie, but it reminded me of Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. Similarly to the idea of the novel, this doc shows the stretches of boredom and also the bursts of excitement; the pride of protecting people and also the lack of humanity from over-exposure to violence; the need to fight for a larger cause and also the misunderstanding of other cultures.

I highly recommend!!!

This movie is really interesting and well made. It shows the conflicting intellectual and spiritual toll war takes on individuals. On the other hand, it does a good job at depicting soldiers for what they really are: uneducated, narrow-minded, monoethnic, monolingual, violent, murderers, without any pride, honor, or courage, whilst convincing themselves they have all three. They clearly lack the wisdom and the intelligence to take or save a life. It conveys the true necessity to jail all soldiers for life, or give them the capital punishement. This movie provides a raw insight into the minds of individuals who are responsible for the destabilization of the Middle East, and for listening to even less educated politicians.

Patchwork footage of fighting the Taliban and trying to win villagers' hearts and minds. Principally unfocused.

Screenplay...................................... 3 / 10 Interviews........................................ 3 Visuals................................................ 6 Sound................................................... 7 Editing................................................ 4 Timeless Utility................................. 5 Total.................................................... 28 / 60 ~= 4.7 (rounded to 6) Verdict................................................. Passable for a general audience.