One of the most important decisions made in adapting American Sniper is what the book would be
adapted into. I would pick for the book to be made into a movie rather than a
musical or TV series. Kyle mentioned
his family, his friends with his SEAL group, his sniping skills, and many more
important roles in his story. A movie would capture the story all in one, with
no need to make sure the endings if it were a TV series to tie into the next beginning,
the movie would have it all there with no waiting for another week to see what
happens next.
In
order for this book to become a movie, we would have to make a considerable
amount of cuts for the film to not be ridiculously long. In the book Kyle
included many in depth explanations, so as a director I would order that cut
from being in the film. The next thing I would keep from going into the movie
theaters would be Taya’s (Chris Kyle’s wife) for she was also a part of the
book, but a lot of her inputs were unnecessary, making the book longer than
needed. I would make these cuts in order for the audience to continue being
reeled into the plot, the cuts would avoid the audience from getting bored of
the film. The storyline without the long explanations and Taya’s input would be
much more interesting and eye-catching.
The soundtrack
for the movie would include songs such as Centuries by Fall Out Boy, where this
song captures the image of being a hero, but “some legends are told, some turn
to dust or to gold,” which helps in the characterization of Chris Kyle. Kyle
was very humble and proud to be fighting for his country; if he died, he wanted
it to be on the battle field. But Kyle never considered himself to be the BEST sniper
ever, or the worst, he didn’t take bragging rights, he gave recognition where
needed instead of taking it for himself. Another song that would be played
during the movie would be Red, White and Blue by Lynyrd Skynyrd, where the song
goes “My hair's turning white, my neck's always been red, my collar's
still blue, we've always been here.” This song signifies Kyle’s pride he
holds for the country. The song I would place at the closing credits would be
American Soldier by Toby Keith, because throughout the song the lyrics speak
about a soldier who is trying to be a father and a loving husband, while saving
the country. “And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price. I've
counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice,” this lyric from the song relates
tremendously to Kyle, because Kyle was very loyal to the USA, and he would do
anything to continue fighting. Kyle would reenlist to the Navy time and time
again, regardless of his wife’s or parent’s protests, he would do so for the
country, in full knowledge of the sacrifices he’d have to make. American
Soldier is a very powerful song that would end the film really well, tying all
lose ends and leaving the audience to walk away from the theater holding pride
for their country as Chris Kyle did.
