PRINTMovie Review: Act of Valor
A look inside a Navy SEAL operation
Courtesy of Relativity Media
Act of Valor mixes real life Navy SEALs and actors to recreate a military operation.
February 25, 2012 | 11:44 a.m. CST
Act of Valor captures the challenges Navy SEALs face on and off the battlefield. The dangers of combat and the distress of leaving families behind, these SEALs sacrifice a lot to complete a mission in this gripping, action-packed film.
So what’s the best way to illustrate this complexity? Act of Valor uses active-duty Navy SEALs. It doesn’t get more real than that, but as Navy SEALs, these men weren’t trained to act, which is apparent from the film.
The not-so-stellar acting doesn’t interfere with the overall quality of the film. The movie details a fictionalized, yet realistic mission to rescue a CIA operative, which then reveals a much larger threat against national security. With a great deal of suspense and reality, it captivates viewers and doesn’t let go until the end of the movie.
The brotherhood among the men is strongly developed. With the inclusion of real Navy SEALs, this concept wasn’t too hard to portray. Despite their various backgrounds and roles in the team, they all come together for the same goal. From one heart-wrenching scene to the next, the bond grows even deeper, and their loyalty to one another is ultimately proven throughout the movie.
Act of Valor is perfect for audiences who love a good story of suspense and heroism. The intensity of this movie, however, is not suited to the light-hearted or queasy. The graphic violence and realism of the film produces a sincerely powerful emotion, especially felt by those who may know a serviceman.
It shows a great deal of respect to those who have served in the military, are currently serving in the military, or will enter the military.
Vox Rating:
