Wow.
That was my initial reaction after watching “Act of Valor” this weekend, a movie I’ve wanted to see since the first glimpses were released a few months ago.
“Act of Valor” stars real US Navy SEALs and portrays them on a fictional mission to bring down a terrorist cell that is trying to hit major US cities in an effort to bring about a major economic collapse.
I was down to see this movie before I even heard that they were using real SEAL equipment and personnel to make the movie, and I love a good military action flick. I thought “Hurt Locker” was going to give this two me a couple years ago, but it wasn’t quite what I wanted.
“Act of Valor” didn’t disappoint me. I got that buddy action flick that wasn’t a comedy I’ve been wanting for quite some time. This is the movie that should win some awards next year. If not, this will be another year where I shake my head at other critics.
I have a problem with Hollywood and the video game industries. They seem to forget (like a lot of people in America) that those serving are people and not just disposable bodies that can be used as background, filler to demonstrate loads of havoc that need to be unleashed or some guy who’s now three quarters nuts because of the things that he’s seen and done. Not since “Band of Brothers” have I felt closer to characters that have been involved with and actually loved.
These guys that you follow all have this relatable nature to the audience; a father, a friend, a mentor, the new guy and a bunch of other relationships. For everyone, you can latch on to at least one character and get to know them and feel like you’re friends.
With “Act of Valor,” these are some of the most fluid and believable action sequences in quite a while, perhaps since the Matrix Triogy. The actors, SEALs, were able to pull off their everyday moves without the camera needing to jump around like a kid in a fun house or have more cuts than a barbershop.
Now this film isn’t without its criticisms, some of the SEALs delivered lines that were clunky at best, mostly due to their lack of experience and the early on discomfort they had around the camera. But this was only a handful of lines in the film and is really noticeable if you’re looking for it.
The other big concern that I’ve heard people talking about is that they think “Act of Valor” is some sort of public relations piece for the Navy or the military as a whole.
I have to say that I’m not sold on this. While I do see that they are placing a positive light on the branches of service that the people in those branches do on a day inday out basis, it was far from glamorous work. They were out all night in a Somalian jungle, getting shot at, and injured, during battle and not to mention the lack of acknowledgement that they receive for doing what they’ve done.
All in all I’m glad I got to see this movie. It’s one that has left me thinking and reflective and that’s all that I can really ask from a film these days.
