Who payed the critics

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

This movie was not that hard to understand. The movie critics do not give the viewers enough credit. It could have been written a little better, but Shia LaBeouf delivered a powerful and an emotionally driven performance about PTSD. The end was hard to take, and everyone in the room was pretty chocked up. His performance alone earned this movie high ratings.

What a lot of people don't know, which is why I rated this movie as high as I did, is the effort Shia put into making this movie. Prior to releasing the film he had a prescreening at the base I'm stationed at (I'm active duty military). Not publicized in any way other than locally. He showed the movie and was personally there for a Q and A. He wanted feedback from real life veterans. He took into account veterans considerations on aspects of the movie he could change or take out or add in. He even wanted approval before he even felt it was right to release. The feedback was very positive. Real life veterans stood up, even getting emotional, and some broke down in tears. The consensus was that this was a movie veterans needed. Some say this was a dis to us but many felt it opened up the reality of life as a veteran and was touching a sensitive subject many actors would be opposed to touching. My hats off to Shia LeBouf that he took the time to get our approval. The film itself was good, not the greatest film. But the message was better. Kudos to Shia for working on something meaningful he believes in. Fun fact: after the Q and A an Airman got on stage to beat box while Shia LeBouf free-styled some bars for us after being pressured into it. If you haven't seen this movie I highly recommend taking the time to.

A very well crafted script which keeps you asking questions during the whole movie,and then comes the end to answer all of it and to relieve the confusion and at the same time highlights the meaning and the message of the movie on a very deep level of effect. Shia is in his best conditions,very balanced directing and great editing.

This movie is a must watch, plain and simple. Unless you're the type that can only enjoy a movie that doesn't challenge your thinking. If anyone tells you otherwise they simple didn't get it, or lack the ability to analyze and appreciate the film. This may only be the third of fourth review I've written, but I felt that people should hear some praise about this movie because it really was a surprisingly good.Shia Labeouf does a superb job. This is not an Emmy type performance, but it still nothing short of excellent. I feel that the reception this and lack of press this received is all about Hollywood politics, and peoples' perception of Labeouf. If you want to see a fresh story then I strongly urge you to check this out.