February 25, 2012
— Open Blogger
Those who "abjure" violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf. -- George Orwell, Notes on Nationalism
This film has gotten a fair amount of 'net publicity -- though probably not nearly enough regular marketing -- because of its fundamental concept: film a movie about what Navy Seals do, using actual Navy Seals and, by the way, a lot of live ammunition. It sounds like a recipe for a heartfelt but amateur film.
While it is heartfelt, it is anything but amateur.
Yes, the Seals themselves tend to sound just a bit stilted when talking with each other, as I suspect most of us would if we were filmed. But after a while, that just adds to the ambiance of the film. What came through is that these are real men who train for and carry out exactly these missions. At no point in the film did I roll my eyes or make a quiet snide comment to my wife. Nor was there any hint of political correctness, stupid plot twists, or Hollywood tropes (save one, but see below). The film had great direction, great cinematography, great sound, and great editing.
What I was not prepared for at the end of the film was the list of Naval Special Warfare personnel who have died in the line of duty since 9/11. It was a much longer list than I would have expected. My wife and I were quiet when we left the film and for most of the drive home. As we walked out of the theater, past the posters for various coming films, I was struck in a new way how fatuous most of what Hollywood produces is, compared to a film such as this.
While it is doubtful that George Orwell ever said, "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf," it is a true fact nevertheless. God bless such rough men in the service of the United States.
Highly recommended. Some spoilers after the jump. SPOILERS
One of the lead characters, Roarke, is leaving behind a pregnant wife, and you know, you know as soon as you learn that, that he isn't going to make it through the film. Yet it is powerful nevertheless. Because what happens is that a grenade is thrown into the midst of his team; he looks at it, and time slows down, and you find yourself asking, "What would I do? I have a wife, an unborn child at home. I can throw myself back away from it." But Roarke does what so many military men have done, including those with wives and children -- he throws himself on it and is killed, but saves the rest of his team thereby.
This has particular emotional resonance with me, because my nephew Darren is in the Marines. He has served two tours in Afghanistan and came back stateside to go through special weapons training before going back for a third tour -- which has since been canceled due to the draw-down of US forces. He has a lovely young wife and an infant son, and yet he was not only willing but eager to go back to Afghanistan for that third tour. (His wife, God bless her, chewed his ass something fierce when he expressed disappointment over not being able to go back again.) Again, God bless not just the rough men who keep us safe, but their families as well. ..fritz..
Posted by: Open Blogger at
01:55 PM
| Comments (87)
Post contains 600 words, total size 3 kb.
Posted by: Wm T Sherman at February 25, 2012 01:11 PM (8hBZi)
Posted by: VW Zao at February 25, 2012 01:13 PM (vWZa0)
The enemy is very much islamic terrorists, and they are very much the bad guys. Without giving too much away the character you're referring to is an arms dealer who is Jewish but he's not masterminding anything.
Posted by: Brenden at February 25, 2012 02:11 PM (wa+SP)
Posted by: LASue at February 25, 2012 02:17 PM (XEegg)
Posted by: WeekendAtBernankes at February 25, 2012 02:18 PM (4gQc3)
Posted by: fozzy at February 25, 2012 02:19 PM (FEzSe)
Posted by: WeekendAtBernankes at February 25, 2012 02:20 PM (4gQc3)
One of the lead characters, Roarke,
Sorrym but his name was Rorke and you knew right from the beginning he wouldn't make by seeing him writing the letter, long before I knew his wife was pregnant.
And there was no dissing of anyone jewish, just the Chief asking rather incredolous "Aren't you jewish?"
Posted by: Ma Bell at February 25, 2012 02:26 PM (uVuwp)
Posted by: thirtyandseven at February 25, 2012 02:26 PM (QrNaq)
Posted by: Truck Monkey at February 25, 2012 02:33 PM (jucos)
Did they eat any unhealthy snacks?
Posted by: mama winger at February 25, 2012 02:35 PM (P6QsQ)
Posted by: Truck Monkey at February 25, 2012 02:37 PM (jucos)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at February 25, 2012 02:41 PM (Ho2rs)
"Well, one of the researchers, during the chaos event, observed how one of the monkeys exchanged money to another for sex. After the act was over, the monkey which was paid immediately used it to buy a grapeÂ…"
----------
The monetary exchange was observed by the first monkey liberal who demanded half of the grape for the good of the commune.
Posted by: Jimmah at February 25, 2012 02:46 PM (vj51i)
Posted by: Dianna at February 25, 2012 02:46 PM (XFkCb)
I just attended a speech by David Horowitz about radical Islam, and stealth jihad. It scared the living daylights out of me. The fact that courageous men like the SEALs in this film stand ready to protect us against these raving maniacs is something that makes me stand in awe of them, and equally makes me want to spit on the leftists who sneer at our fighting men and women and the freedom they defend.
I plan to see Act of Valor tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to it.
Posted by: Lee at February 25, 2012 02:48 PM (RtwOA)
Posted by: Ick at February 25, 2012 02:48 PM (dBxzn)
Saw it last night with Hubby - we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend it!
On a completely different note - I just love seeing liberals hoisted on their own PC petard:
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, TX at February 25, 2012 02:48 PM (0xqzf)
Posted by: Dianna at February 25, 2012 02:49 PM (XFkCb)
Posted by: Ick at February 25, 2012 02:50 PM (dBxzn)
Posted by: Truman North at February 25, 2012 02:50 PM (I2LwF)
Posted by: Truman North at February 25, 2012 02:51 PM (I2LwF)
Posted by: Truck Monkey at February 25, 2012 02:52 PM (jucos)
Posted by: Ick at February 25, 2012 02:52 PM (dBxzn)
Posted by: Hrothgar at February 25, 2012 02:53 PM (i3+c5)
Posted by: Truman North at February 25, 2012 02:54 PM (I2LwF)
Posted by: The Deej at February 25, 2012 02:55 PM (nvxtD)
Posted by: Ick at February 25, 2012 02:55 PM (dBxzn)
Prayers for your daughter's well-being and all the fine young people serving this country!
Posted by: Hrothgar at February 25, 2012 02:55 PM (i3+c5)
Posted by: dagny at February 25, 2012 02:56 PM (u50z0)
Posted by: Truman North at February 25, 2012 02:56 PM (I2LwF)
Posted by: Mr. Al U Fods at February 25, 2012 02:58 PM (+BkI8)
Posted by: The Deej at February 25, 2012 02:58 PM (nvxtD)
That's the strength of the Seals -- adaptability to any situation, hostile or civil. They're "rough" only when roughness is called for.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at February 25, 2012 02:58 PM (s5tFV)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 25, 2012 03:01 PM (eCnLg)
Posted by: Ick at February 25, 2012 03:09 PM (dBxzn)
Posted by: Burn the Witch at February 25, 2012 03:15 PM (rX1N2)
Posted by: George Lakoff at February 25, 2012 03:16 PM (kwAf2)
Posted by: Clyde Shelton at February 25, 2012 03:19 PM (vUK/h)
@41 Gee, I dunno Ick - why are 82% of the NBA's players black? Hmmm.....
@28 - Thanks, Truman! I'm getting better at this "commenting" thing -
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, TX at February 25, 2012 03:19 PM (0xqzf)
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, TX at February 25, 2012 03:21 PM (0xqzf)
Posted by: Truck Monkey at February 25, 2012 06:33 PM (jucos)
No but there was a piece about dragging the SCOAMF off the golf course to watch the SEALS take down the enemy and he cried, not when they took down the enemy when they drug him off the golf course! /s
Just got back from it it was very good, very well done and I didn't notice any amateur acting.
Posted by: Concealed Kerry or Sub Mitt at February 25, 2012 03:24 PM (nonzP)
Posted by: Ick at February 25, 2012 03:28 PM (dBxzn)
Posted by: Knemon at February 25, 2012 03:48 PM (r1jNE)
Posted by: Knemon at February 25, 2012 03:53 PM (r1jNE)
Just saw it. EXCELLENT! Mostly men in the audience, and the theater was so attentive during the movie and silent at the end. Everyone filed out quietly. I don't think this is a kid movie. Sure my 10 yo plays "black ops" etc., but the film is very intense. There is rough language like you would imagine any military/police/fire etc. talk. It's not excessive in any way. The hostage is tortured and it's all very implied, but pretty brutal for kids. I guess the main takeaway it that it's very REAL. That's my two cents +.
Loved it!
Posted by: Sacmom at February 25, 2012 03:54 PM (Dxk9z)
Posted by: Ick at February 25, 2012 03:57 PM (dBxzn)
Posted by: Jordan at February 25, 2012 03:57 PM (RSG1I)
Posted by: FORGER - Monster Hunter at February 25, 2012 04:28 PM (pAEX+)
Terrific, very powerful movie. Took my two teenage sons - the audience was mostly single guys between 18 and 30. It was all the more powerful to me knowing that these guys were the real thing and NOT actors. And I don't mind saying - some of them are FINE. We also walked out in silence, and didn't say much on the way home, either - except that the action scenes are pretty awesome. It also occurred to me that if I might be violently ill if I hear hat SCOAMF take credit one more time for "getting bin Laden" - it should be to his eternal shame to take credit for the efforts of men like these who are far better than he will ever hope to be.
Posted by: Ohiogal at February 25, 2012 04:54 PM (SAYgH)
What we're doing over there isn't futile. It's the Afghans who are futile.
We took the Afghans at their word, that they would be worthy of the sacrifice we were making. They lied.
Never blame yourself. Your actions would be accepted gratefully by a functional society. Whatever is going wrong over there is 100 percent the fault of the primitive, corrupt, violent, illiterate, tribal, fundamentalist, and utterly subpar Afghan culture.
Posted by: Llarry at February 25, 2012 05:05 PM (Rnfm0)
Posted by: Cap'n crunch at February 25, 2012 05:06 PM (lghiK)
The guy that I knew really well who was in this situation, 'Plummer', was killed when his helicopter crashed after losing engine power in Afghanistan. He had switched rotations with me the year before so he could be home with his prematurely born son who, honestly, no one was sure was going to survive. The son, Gavyn, survived and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that disaster had been averted. Then Plummer was killed a year later and the whole world fell apart for Plummer's wife.
So definitely go see the movie. Pay tribute to the SEALs and the SWCC guys. But stop and think about all those names you see at the end, the guys with widows and orphaned kids still living in a nightmare to this day. I knew Matt Mason, one of the SEALs killed in that Chinook crash last year. Wouldn't consider him a close friend but I did hang out with him quite a bit in Africa back in 2002, doing some MMA training with him and some other SEALs in Team Three. He was an awesome guy, one of those people you wished you lived next door to and saw every day. I still think about him all the time, same as I think about Plummer and his family and everyone else I've known who didn't make it back.
So I guess I'm ambivalent about seeing the movie myself. I want to see it for all the obvious reasons, but yet, I really don't want to be reminded of all the guys I knew who didn't make it back and walk out of the theater feeling lower than dirt. Maybe I'll watch it on DVD in a few months, that might be a nice compromise...
Posted by: Pave Low John at February 25, 2012 05:12 PM (ue6kh)
Posted by: Penfold at February 25, 2012 05:21 PM (4jMRd)
Posted by: Another Spec at February 25, 2012 05:51 PM (QogyV)
Posted by: MostlyRight at February 25, 2012 06:12 PM (ZG8Ti)
Posted by: motionview at February 25, 2012 06:31 PM (i+DU3)
Posted by: fritzworth at February 25, 2012 06:35 PM (7svyX)
Posted by: Chicago Voter at February 25, 2012 06:59 PM (qZb8X)
I too wasn't prepared for the list of SEALs who have died since 9/11. Brought me to tears as did the pinning of the SEAL insignia's on the casket near the end of the movie. My wife worked with Danny Dietz's sister when he was killed in Afghanistan (see Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell). I have met Danny's mother, father and sister and I attended a memorial service when a statue was dedicated in his honor on July 4th a number of years ago. Cried like a baby when his Seal Team also left their insignias at the base of his statue.
I will also never forget the turn-out for Danny's memorial service/statue dedication. This was the height of the war-bashing and Bush-Bashing by the liberal left (and I think before the surge in Iraq) when it was held. I was very concerned at the time that all the bad news had left people war-weary and that it wouldn't get the attention it deserved especially with July 4th holiday happening during mid-week. As I walked around the corner and down the long street where the park and memorial statue is placed, I was stunned and brought to tears by what looked like ten thousand people who had taken time away from their happy holiday celebrations on the July 4th holiday and instead were there to honor the ultimate sacrifice given by Danny and his SEAL brothers for our country.
Posted by: Fustigator at February 25, 2012 07:14 PM (wr+Bb)
"I have a 12 year old who wants to see it."
Just saw it. We considered it a patriotic duty. Highly recommended... for adults.
Scenes with families, etc are the weak part and I found them boring and cliche. They are present, I'm sure, to create an attachment for the characters and their families and to honor those on the homefront, but it slowed the movie and were right out of Trope 101. Still, go see it, if only to encourage the making of films which show the military in a respectful light.
**FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN APPROPRIATENESS FOR KIDS**
**SPOILERS**
I think 8 is a bit young for this film, but 12 is probably OK. I would say it's a "know your kid" situation. Of course there is violence-- it's a military ops movie-- but the majority of it is firing guns, explosions, and blood smears/pools/splattering.
The worst part regarding violence is in the open, and what pisses me off about it is that it could have been easily avoided. The capture and torture of a female American CIA agent is graphically depicted (she is struck several times, and a baddie is shown gearing up a drill, she is heard screaming, holes in her hands are shown, there's lots of chains and blood.) It bothered me and I had to turn away, but then I'm ultra-sensitive to that kind of thing and I therefore otherwise almost never watch movies like this.
I recommend that you wait for it on DVD and just start the movie for kiddos after the first 15-20 minutes or so, when the SEALs are briefed. You are told everything you need to know in that scene. The violence thereafter is mostly of the video game variety.
All of those scenes could have been cut and her story told through the briefing and showing her terrible physical condition when she was rescued by the SEALs. It was probably shown to highlight the brutality of her captors so that the audience would root for the SEALs from the outset. Then again I'm a fan of "imagination is always worse than what's shown", so whateves.
Lots of f-bombs, but it's not like it's every other word.
No sex. I really respected the fact that there was no lameass love story subplot.
Posted by: Filly at February 25, 2012 07:15 PM (u6ZqI)
Posted by: ted at February 25, 2012 07:18 PM (wb4qc)
Posted by: Xmas at February 25, 2012 07:20 PM (lGd0q)
Posted by: Heidi For Texas at February 25, 2012 07:21 PM (o1478)
Posted by: Heidi For Texas at February 25, 2012 07:23 PM (o1478)
I guess it was the context it was not just violence for violence sake it was tastefully folded into the plot
Posted by: Concealed Kerry or Sub Mitt at February 25, 2012 07:28 PM (nonzP)
One contention I have with the reviewer is about it not being PC...
SPOILER:
I have to say I have a bit of a problem with the Muslim terrorist leader being Russian and his organization being Filipino. It just feels a little forced that there were zero Middle Eastern terrorists. It kept reminding me of how The Sum of All Fears used neo-nazis instead of islamic militants. Minor nit-pick though.
/SPOILER
Posted by: ubermosher at February 26, 2012 05:22 AM (smpaX)
Posted by: davod at February 26, 2012 05:37 AM (C5U9L)
Posted by: DKS at February 26, 2012 08:11 AM (r+34Y)
Where I live, just before Christmas the local midwife delivered the posthumous infant of a military man who died in Afghanistan just a few weeks before he was supposed to come home.
Posted by: DeputyHeadmistress at February 26, 2012 07:41 PM (mhcif)
im not a cryer. but after seeing what those men did in that movie really touched. i love seeing how close they are as men. it makes me want to experience that and really makes me think about going into the navy
Posted by: robert at March 06, 2012 09:15 AM (AoGQz)
Hide Comments | Add Comment | Refresh | Top
64 queries taking 0.2369 seconds, 215 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.
Posted by: The Shadow Knows at February 25, 2012 01:01 PM (lm8Cj)