Plot: The Men Who Stare at Goats is about soldiers who were trained in extra-sensory perception ESP as a battle or intelligence weapon. Vietnam War-era soldiers were trained in "paranormal" combat, and had some success. Now in the 2000's, they are called back together for the war in Iraq. Journalist Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) stumbles on the story, and he narrates the film. The movie is an absurd comedy where it is not clear how real the ESP is, or whether the soldiers are insane or geniuses.
Review: This was an entertaining movie with a comedic, farcical premise. Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) is the main character with the strongest gift. Bob Django (Jeff Bridges) is the hippie founder of the New Earth Battalion, and they adopt old-time hippie practices to tune their abilities.
There are a lot of jokes and absurdities in the film, and I don't think it is trying to make any serious points about the military or the paranormal.
I liked the movie on the level of entertainment, and I think most people would enjoy it.
A decent performance by George Clooney. A nice likeable nuanced performance by Ewan McGregor. I thought Jeff Bridges was annoying, and I thought Kevin Spacy should have been in the movie more.
Cast: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacy
Crew: directed by Grant Heslov; written by Peter Staughan; based on the book by Jon Ronson
Rating: 2.5 flasks
More: Were there any women in this movie?
Even More: I liked the way the goat fell over when it died. Clunk.
