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Citizen Soldier is a documentary-style film that follows the lives of soldiers from the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during their deployment to Afghanistan. The film was directed and produced by David Salzberg and Christian Tureaud, who also worked on the films The Hornet's Nest and Danger Close. The film begins with footage of soldiers training before their deployment. The audience is introduced to a group of soldiers from Oklahoma, including Sgt. Eran Harrill, Sgt. Tyler Brown, and Spc. Jared Colson. The film then cuts to footage of the soldiers in Afghanistan, where they are fighting the Taliban.

The soldiers are filmed as they move from village to village, often meeting with locals and trying to gain their trust. They also engage in firefights with the Taliban, which are shown in gritty detail. The film does not hold back in showing the horror of war and the toll it takes on the soldiers.

One of the strengths of the film is its use of real footage shot by the soldiers themselves. This footage provides an intimate look into the lives of the soldiers and their experiences on the frontlines. It also gives the film a raw, unfiltered feel that is absent in other war movies.

Another strength of the film is its focus on the soldiers' families back home. The camera follows Sgt. Brown's wife and children as they deal with his absence, and the film explores the strain that the deployment puts on their relationships. This aspect of the film adds another layer of depth and emotion to the story.

Overall, Citizen Soldier is a powerful documentary that provides a unique perspective on the war in Afghanistan. Through its use of real footage and focus on the soldiers' families, the film offers a more personal look at the conflict than traditional war movies. The film is a tribute to the sacrifices made by the soldiers and their families, and a reminder of the human cost of war.

In terms of cinematography, Citizen Soldier does an excellent job of bringing the audience into the trenches with the soldiers. The footage is often shaky and fast-paced, which adds to the feeling of being in the middle of the action. The camera work is also impressive in its ability to capture the soldiers' emotions, both on the battlefield and at home.

The film's soundtrack is also worth mentioning. The score, composed by Nathan Furst, is both haunting and uplifting, and does an excellent job of enhancing the emotional impact of the film.

One weakness of the film, however, is its lack of context. While Citizen Soldier does provide some background information on the war in Afghanistan and the role of the Oklahoma soldiers, it may be difficult for viewers who are not familiar with the conflict to fully understand the film's significance.

In conclusion, Citizen Soldier is a powerful documentary that provides a moving and personal look at the war in Afghanistan. Through its use of real footage and focus on the soldiers' families, the film offers a unique and emotional perspective on the conflict. While its lack of context may be a weakness for some viewers, the film's strengths far outweigh any flaws.

Citizen Soldier is a 2016 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 68.