MUSIC/LATEST FILMS: A SHOT IN THE ARM

POPCORN RATING

***** Bang on target

**** Sure-fire winner

*** Hlts the mark

** Wide off mark

* Blankety-blank

JARHEAD (15)

THE STARS Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard.

THE STORY Anthony Swofford or "Swoff" (Gyllenhaal) joins the US Marines and after a gruelling stint in boot camp becomes a scout sniper while his friend Troy (Sarsgaard) gets the job as his spotter.

In 1990 Swoff's squad are among the first American troops sent to the Middle East, in readiness for an Iraqi attack. Swoff and his fellow Marines or Jarheads grow increasingly bored with the lack of action.

They train, mess around and wait for the call to move out. When the order finally comes Swoff and his Marines face a strange scene of carnage in the desert and continue to wait for the time when they will finally open fire at the enemy.

WHAT'S GOOD? Jarhead manages that rare thing of being powerfully dramatic, marvellously mad, energetically fun and movingly subtle all at the same time.

Sam Mendes's film is a fine adaptation of Anthony Swofford's autobiographical book and brilliantly brings home the boredom, anxiety and pointlessness of war. It also reinforces the truth behind most war movies that War is Hell.

These modern-day Marines spend their downtime partying, worrying what their wives or girlfriends are up to back home while watching endless re-runs of Apocalypse Now.

But they want their own soundtrack to their own war and when Swoff overhears someone playing The Doors, he moans, "That's Vietnam music!".

Gyllenhaal is tough but sensitive as Swoff, while as usual Sarsgaard gives a terrific performance, as a damaged man who simply wants the army to be his home.

Many of the usual war movie cliches are left behind as Mendes reinforces the drudgery of service life, while also adding a dash of gung-ho action.

The footage of the desert at night as the oil wells burn is simply stunning. And there is a unforgettable surreal moment when Swoff comes across a terrified horse covered in oil.

WHAT'S BAD? It takes a bold director to make a combat film with virtually no combat in it.

While that in essence is the whole point - that war can be boring and very little happens - it is a little frustrating at times for the audience. The initial boot camp scenes feel a little predictable...as usual a "grunt" is killed during training. It is also a shame that Oscar winner Jamie Foxx is used so sparingly as the squad's tough instructor Staff Sgt. Sykes.

HOW LONG IS IT? A powerful 123 mins. FINAL VERDICT A moving, funny and smart war story designed for the 21st Century. *****

Opens Friday January 13

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