Movie #865 "Lone Survivor" is yet another good, tense, but uncomfortable film to watch --- the mantra for this year's oscar nominations. And the bonus was when I was watching the film, and it dawned on me that one of my favorite actors was in it --- Ben Foster (I've been a Ben Foster fan since "Liberty Heights" and "The Messenger" -- he's Robin Wright 's new honey, too) I have to say that I dodge any war films because I just can't watch all the shooting. I get sick to my stomach and usually have to leave or cover my head or something. Well, there was an hour set up here, & after that at least a 30 minute battle (tough to sit through) and then the last 30 minutes getting the lone survivor back (including another attack on an afghani village). I'm not giving anything away because this is a documented story --- but whether you know a lot about the story or you don't (which I didn't), it is still very riveting ---- the special effects (done by ILM) are astounding, you are right there up close and personal during the tragic attack (about as real as the Braveheart scenes!). The first hour is hard to follow ---- I would have liked a bit more spoon-feeding of what exactly their job was and who everyone was ---- but really, as the mission begins, there are only 4 people to keep track of (because a lot of them look alike, with the facial hair and all) so it wasn't that bad. During the set up, I have to admit, I might have dozed a bit because it was just walking and hiding --- and obviously, it was very quiet because they couldn't talk to each other. But after that no one's eyes closed, I bet. I came away with such respect for the seals who risk their lives like this in Afghanistan, and for the people (in this case Afghanis) who try to uphold their religious belief to value a human life (and therefore try to save Marcus). But for sure this comes across very anti-war, too. It's so futile ---- many times I thought of that last scene in "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" with the hundreds of enemies waiting to kill the two people! This seal Marcus had some story to tell and I'm glad the director Peter Berg and the very good actors here took this assignment and made the film. It's a story that deserves to be told!
Lone Survivor2013R I give this 4 stars out of 5.
Mark Wahlberg stars as Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrel in this action-drama based on an ill-fated real-life mission to bring down a Taliban boss. But the stakes are even higher when Luttrell and his unit are ambushed in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.
- Cast:
- Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Alexander Ludwig, Jerry Ferrara, Scott Elrod, Dan Bilzerian
- Genre:
- Military & War Action, Military & War Dramas, Dramas Based on Real Life, Action & Adventure
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