The government has its fair share of secrets but the most outrageous one might be training super soldiers to use psychic powers to defeat their enemies in a non-violent way. Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, tell that to Lyn Cassady, Larry Hooper, or Bill Django; all of whom were members of this top secret unit.

Bob Wilton is a journalist, on a mission in the Middle East to find a story. Granted this wasn’t the type of story he had in mind but soon he’s in deep with Lyn and his psychic babble. As the two travel together, the story unfolds on the formation and development of this group, each sentence sounding more absurd than the last.

Probably the greatest thing about the film is the references to Jedi Warriors, which is what members were called. The fact that Ewan McGregor played a Jedi in the Star Wars films makes it all the more hilarious when George Clooney says that the force is strong with him and that it is fate he become one.

There are plenty of laughs to be had, mainly during the beginning and end of the film. Clooney is the main cause of them with his serious demeanor about his so called psychic powers. He truly believes what he says, and even though everything he says sounds ridiculous, you want to believe him.

Things are a little slow in the middle when Bob and Lyn are travelling the desert. There are a few lulls in which nothing exciting is going on and the comedy is dry. Then you’ll them drive into the only rock in the entire desert and things will redeem themselves.

It would have been nice to see a bit more of Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey, as they are mostly seen in flashbacks, although they are all in for one hell of a ‘trip’ when they are reunited once again.

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a funny and nonchalant look at one of the biggest secrets of our government, even if it’s just a joke. While it may not hold up to some bigger named films, it does stand on its own merit and will have you laughing at times. Definitely check it out if you get the opportunity