WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee says critics of U.S. foreign policy are disparaging the movie “American Sniper” and denigrating the memory of Chris Kyle, the U.S. serviceman depicted in the film.

In a statement on Monday, McCain congratulated director Clint Eastwood and the cast and crew of the movie for honoring the life of Kyle, whom he called an American hero.

Critics like documentary maker Michael Moore have said the film glorifies violence. “Snipers aren’t heroes,” Moore has said.

– From news service reports