Ewan Mcgregor, George swooney Clooney and Kevin Spacey. Would keep my interest any day.

Seems just weird enough to be great.

entertaining, good concept...tried to send a good message about war, not sure if the message was clear enough though.

Given his well-known political views, it wouldn't be surprising to find George Clooney in an blatantly anti-war film. However, The Men Who Stare at Goats isn't necessarily that kind of film. Indeed, while it is often quite funny, TMWSAG doesn't seem ... (read more) Given his well-known political views, it wouldn't be surprising to find George Clooney in an blatantly anti-war film. However, The Men Who Stare at Goats isn't necessarily that kind of film. Indeed, while it is often quite funny, TMWSAG doesn't seem particularly sure what exactly it wants to say, leaving the characters floating in an entertaining but purposeless story.

Clooney plays Lyn Cassady, a US soldier specially 'trained' to use psychic ability instead of weapons to defeat the enemy. This story is being investigated by Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), who tags along with Cassady as he goes on a mission into Iraq. He learns about the psychic training system devised by Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), and the process Cassady went through to hone his psychic capabilities, including running up against stiff fellow 'psych' Hooper (Kevin Spacey).

Grant Heslov (who co-wrote Good Night, and Good Luck with Clooney) makes a confident feature directorial debut. The film looks good and moves at a swift pace most of the way through. Little fault can be found with the performances; Clooney and McGregor make for a funny double-act, Spacey does his smarmy weasel thing, and Bridges is hilarious, his trippy Django being easily the best thing in the film.

The problem with TMWSAG is that it lacks a focus; what is it trying to say? It's too concerned with the soldier's ludicrous psychic training and Cassady's and Wilton's 'buddy movie' trek through the desert to be either satirical or critical, while the humour is a little too dark at times to make this a light breezy comedy. Dark humour usually has a finer point to it, but damned if I can find it! That said, it is still very funny at times, with a bewigged Clooney and a dippy Bridges bringing most of the laughs.

The film is pacy up until about 2/3 of the way through, when Cassady and Wilton finally arrive at their 'mission'. From here, the film goes descends into pure farce. This shift produces some laughs, but it also reveals the lack of critical bite to the film. It doesn't have a target, but thankfully the performances and gag rate just about keep this 'goat' afloat. Watching this film is akin to watching someone using drugs; you may expect to hear some deep discussion, but all you'll get is giggles. It entertains, but isn't really engaging. M*A*S*H* it ain't.

Saw it. Thought it was okay. G. Clooney is HOT in this one.

It was ok, funny at moments, but overall just an ok movie. Wait until it comes out on DVD to rent it or watch it on TV.

anti-war, anti-american, original and funny! Plus Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey in it. What more do I want!!