The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) (R)

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) (R)
Directed by Grant Heslov
Starring: George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey

Daughter Says:

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a movie about a secret agency that was all about peace, love, and goats. The agency started when a military officer decided to go on a hippy crusade after the war in Vietnam. After his little adventure he decided he wanted to train soldiers to use their minds instead of guns. He thought it would be a better and more affective way to fight the enemy.

But the real story begins with a reporter who was sent on a dead end story about one of the men in the agency. The interviewee told his story but Ewan McGregor didn't take him seriously. Soon that would all change. When he finds out that his wife, Rebecca Mader (also starred in Lost), has cheated on him with his boss. Now trying to win the girl back, he sets off on an adventure that will blow your mind away.

There were a lot of great parts to this movie. There were funny moments and serious moments. A kidnap scene, a drug scene, a hippy scene, and of course a few goat scenes (what would a movie about men who stare at goats be without a few goats themselves). I found The Men Who Stare at Goats funny and a bit out there. I really enjoyed it. I think Grant Heslov did a great job on this movie and I would watch it again any time.

Rating for The Men Who Stare at Goats is ****.

Daddy Says:

This is a very strange film. It starts off with a title card reading "More of this is true than you would believe", and gets stranger from there. The soldiers say they are being trained as "jedi warriors", with the ability to psychically project to anywhere in the world, to find whatever needs to be found, to even walk through walls. Yeah, I didn't buy that last part either.

The actors do a fine job with their parts. Jeff Bridges channels his inner "dude" once again in a very likable role. George Clooney plays... well, George Clooney. Charming, as always. Kevin Spacey does good in his role as spoiler to the group. And Ewan McGregor plays his "everyman" character, like he did in Moulin Rouge, just without the singing.

My biggest problem with the film is that it's just not memorable. It was fine entertainment while I was watching it, so if you're looking for a good night's rental, I don't think you'll be disappointed. But if you're looking for a movie with something meaningful to say, or great scenes you'll remember a few days after you've seen it, than you might consider picking something else up instead.

Rating for The Men Who Stare at Goats: **3/4