Lone Survivor

"Lone Survivor" hits you in the head from almost the beginning in the true, harrowing story of a team of Navy SEALS sent on a mission to locate and kill a high ranking member of the Taliban which goes every which way but right. The movie gets to this set up very quickly and what results is two hours of heart wrenching action and emotion that puts you in the middle of what these true heroes are plighted with on a regular basis.

The movie is based on the memoir by SEAL member Marcus Luttrell, the "Lone Survivor" of this mission played here by Mark Wahlberg. Though Luttrell would be best described as the main character the movie is an ensemble piece with notable co-stars such as Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Taylor Kitsch and Eric Bana. There is not a lot of character development here other than some brief dialogues about home, girlfriends and wives, this is the movies major flaw but it does make up for it in part with the harrowing action and raw emotion that comes from this true story. This appears to be director Peter Berg's main intention as he succeeds in showing the heroism at close range and you come out of the theater understanding the importance that these individuals take on while we the common public live our lives. Wahlberg has always been a dependable actor but due to his popularity in throw away action movies and comedies doesn't get nearly enough opportunities to show his dramatic range. While not a showy performance his role in "Lone Survivor" ranks up there along with his supporting role in "The Departed" and his breakout role in "Boogie Nights".

There is no political agenda in "Lone Survivor", which normally I would say is a good thing but since there is so little character development it at times feels like you are watching just one long battle scene. It is not till close to the end of the movie when Luttrell is rescued by an Afghani villager that the real emotion starts to set in. Director Berg made an impressive movie a few years back "Friday Night Lights" but since has kind of settled into Michael Bay territory with movies such as "Hancock" and "Battleship" that are much more style than substance. I realize that to stay true to fact you can't have long periods of dialogue during the intense battle scenes but I feel its almost necessary to keep the attention of the moviegoer. Berg does deserve credit as this movie is the most accessible to the public as it is about a period in American history that for multiple reasons a lot of us would like to forget. From a technical aspect the battle scenes are nothing short of exhilarating, Berg uses the recently popular "shaky cam" effect to put you on the side of the mountain where the battle takes place but doesn't overuse it to where nausea could take place. The smaller moments, though few they are take precedent over the gunfire and incoherent yelling and the relationship that starts between Luttrell and his Afghani rescuer really add to the overall effect the movie puts on you and is unbelievable, if it weren't true.  

I came away from "Lone Survivor" with a much greater appreciation and understanding to what thousands of men and women do for me and our country every day. Just the knowing that this is a unbelievable, true story adds to the emotion that is felt throughout, especially during the end credits when pictures of the real men are shown. The violence is real and no holds barred but isn't excessive or glamorized in any way, shape or form-its necessary. I think true stories such as this do need a platform as no matter what your own opinions are you cannot do anything but admire and respect those that do make the ultimate sacrifice for us.