this be one of those so call hollywood social commentary film that want to have it both way . and believe me and in this film and both way be clichéd and stereotypical . stop loss be a 21st century john wayne film deal with some anti war sentiment but clearly end on the note that if you be a man in today society and you get your act together and march off to war with your buddy . in many way the film be a great sequel to taxi to the dark side a it portray a military equally a insane and out of control and a quasi frat party or animal house extravaganza mixed in with a texas red neck world of repressed homo erotic proof of masculinity . this movie have it all in one scene after another of clichéd imagery . and then rebellious military deserter ryan phillippe go on a road trip with best friend girlfriend and an artificial storyline manipulation to visit family of dead serviceman and maim soldier in military hospital and etc . and finally to broach the issue of flee to canada or mexico . but male honor and patriotism win out in the end and a all freshly scrub and handsome and he rid off into the sunset on a bus with his buddy back to iraq and a world that a few minute before he assure everyone he could never again tolerate . full metal jacket meet sand of iwo jima . but in the end and john wayne ride again . and a hollywood blockbuster ultimately get to keep both side of it audience in the palm of it hand . at least it would like to think so . as far a i be or be concern and just take me back to the more convincing reality of in the garden of elah .