The Men Who Stare at Goats

"The Men Who Stare at Goats"
Starring: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey
Grade: C-

With all of the talent surrounding this political satire, one would think a moderately good, if not great final product could be produced. This is not the case with Goats, which runs at 90 minutes, feels too long by 10-15 minutes. One could question that the script and ideas portrayed on the film are too shallow, or even not executed right to warrant a good film. But why not, the talented actors alone should be enough to make a solid comedy, something doesn't add up here.

Ewan McGregor plays Bob, a divorced journalist who wants to cover something important and groundbreaking to gain back the respect of his wife, whom has left him for a less than suitable man. Bob stumbles upon a secret military uniform that was based out of Fort Bragg in the 60's in which soldiers were trained and taught to become "Jedi Warriors." Not only did McGregor himself play a Jedi in Star Wars, but the lame inside joke between the filmmakers and the audience serves no one.

While in Kuwait looking for a story, Bob stumbles upon Lyn Cassidy, played by a world weary George Clooney, in what looks to be a role Clooney could have played in 2 weeks. Lyn lets Bob in on all of the secrets and traits of the soldiers that were trained under Bill Django, played by Jeff Bridges in the film's most playful and humorous role. Django is a pony-tailed hippie who Bridges plays like a version of his former self from The Big Lebowski.

Lyn and Bob eventually up in Iraq where the story loses all momentum and any credibility, especially in the final act. Most of the little humor comes from flashbacks told by Len, showing his past training, and the ways in which the Jedi Warriors were taught and trained. Kevin Spacey shows up mid-film as a straight-laced soldier, who despises Lyn and Django. They're paths meet again in the muddled and sloppy final act.

The film directed by Grant Heslov, a close friend of Clooney, is un-even, and unfocused throughout. The film's tone is one note the whole way through, and it takes zero risks. The satire proves to be less than credible, with the actors looking bored at every turn. The film looked liked it could have been fun to make, but in this case that doesn't translate into a good film