Lone Survivor - Marky Mark Enlists In The U.S. Navy Seals

Lone Survivor movie review 

  

You know, I feel really grateful when I think of American men & women from the U.S. military forces who have risked their very lives to stand up for their nation. It is another level of bravery, as this is an occupation in which skill can only take a person so far. In Lone Survivor, director Peter Berg recreates the horrifying events that took place in "Operation Red Wings' into a sadistic, emotional, but otherwise interesting movie.

Lone Survivor, as you can tell, was inspired by a true story. In June 2005, four SEALs are sent deep into enemy territory to capture Most Wanted Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, who is responsible for killing more than 20 U.S. Marines as well as villagers who were aiding American soldiers. Halfway into the mission, they are inadvertently discovered by a sheep herder and his two children, and after a lengthy debate they decide to release the villagers over executing them in order to avoid backlash. As they escape, they are greatly outnumbered by an army of Taliban soldiers high up on the Afghan mountains of the Hindu Kush.

"Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards."

 The first time I watched this at the movies was with my mother and it was approximately 1 year, 1 month, 25 days ago (not bragging my Math skills or anything), and right after I got out the theatre I decided to go ahead for another viewing with my 2 friends. I didn't have a good reason to watch it a second time as I thought it was really good, and I wasn't a master of movie reviews at the time.

The words "Based on true acts of courage" found on the poster is what haunts me the most. From the title and plot itself, people would know the inevitable ending. But through the determination of the four brothers, you can't help but hope for a change in their fates.

"I understand, and I don't care. I care about you, I care about you, and I care about you."

At its core, Lone Survivor is an American war film. The SEALs are the heroes, the Taliban are enemies, and the heroes are able to fight on like in video games or other movies. In the first 40 minutes, the movie shows a bunch of SEAL recruits training in boot camp, but you won't feel dull of that. After the mission goes awry when accidentally discovered by civilians, they are faced with a decision between killing them and letting go. From here, the intensity begins to climb. What is the right thing to do? What would you do? Faced with that moral situation, they decide to cut them loose - soon after, Taliban forces are hot on their tail.

The next 40 minutes or so, it turns into an action-packed, non-stop brutal gunfight. Many shots were fired, and many injuries were sustained. Tension begins to rise at this part of the movie, and with an abundance of slow-motion shots and clear close-ups of kills and wounds, the excellent direction and cinematography provides a painful journey that makes you cringe or tear up the same as the four soldiers.

"If I don't go home, you don't go home!"

The movie became very emotional towards the cilmax. As you can see, the four men who quarrel in the woods are imperfect — genuine men. The four men who take cover behind a bank of rocks and foliage, preparing for an incoming wave of insurgents are the guys you see on Navy SEAL brochures. The moment the action sequences commence, you begin to feel empathy towards the characters. Stock footage of Navy SEALs, combined with the actors portraying the characters involved in the operation, was placed in the movie to create a realistic atmosphere that moves the viewers into tears.

I thought that this was a beautifully-writen, well-scripted, neatly-acted movie. This is why I will rate this masterpiece an overall rating of 8.5/10!

Lone Survivor, if some of you don't know, is based on the book of the same name written by Marcus Lutrell, the sole survivor of Operation Red Wings. Visit your local bookstore as soon as possible if you wish to buy it.

Lone Survivor by Marcus Lutrell