Act of Valor

[JimTX]

Just got back from seeing it here in Galveston on opening night. Spoiler alert. The Titanic sinks at the end...... dammit, different movie.

Okay, I'll put it this way. If you're a critic, fan or afficianado of fine cinema, you'll be disappointed with the limited acting skills of the various SEALS in the movie. Maybe they can extend Hell Week a few more days for some Method Classes? "What are you, maggot?" "I'm a soaked and frozen piece of flotsam in the Imperial Beach surf!" "Go out and shiver some more, maggot, I'm not convinced of your sincerity! Find your motivation, maggot!" "Yessir! (splash, glug).

Okay, barring changing Hell Week, I was gratified to see their skills and HUMILITY portrayed in such a positive manner.

Us gun geeks certainly have much to enjoy in the movie. Seeing some of the fun stuff, like aerial boat-drops, mid-sea rendevouz with a waiting sub...... a Mack Bolan writer would run out of superlatives, just trying to do justice to what's on the screen. I'd like to see it again, just to take equipment notes.

You really want to enjoy the movie though? Take a bunny-hugging liberal to go see it with you. Rock their world! They'll especially hate that none of the SEALS are self-doubting, morally anguished, tormented souls.

Four stars. Bit more polish to the acting, coulda been a five.



Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[Bullspit]

Saw this movie today as well.

Your critique is spot on. I also enjoyed it. The boat scenes were righteous displays of firepower, the guns sounded real and the action seemed real. There wasn't any superhuman feat that was unbelievable like you would see in a a hollywood blockbuster.

If you can't find a lefty to go with you, I recommend you see it with most of the handicap row in the theater full of obviously disabled vets. They stayed through the end, and not just because they needed the extra time to walk out.

[Kommander]

From what I understand they used no CGI and live ammo. Should be interesting to see from a technical perspective if for no other reason.

[Rod]

From what I understand they used no CGI and live ammo. Should be interesting to see from a technical perspective if for no other reason.

See this Youtube clip. Tells about the REAL bullets. It's pretty funny. Wife is out of town this weekend so I have to wait until she returns because SHE wants to see it also.

[Steamforger]

O.K., couple things from that clip. First, when did Mouse McCoy become a director? Second, I didn't realize this was a BronWa film. If you haven't seen Step Into Liquid or Dust To Glory do yourself a favor.

To be honest, I really hadn't planned on seeing this one. One of my old units (even if only for less than a year) is in it and I don't ever remember it being a good place to be. I was quite happy to leave it for a P-3 squadron. I also see the whole "active duty Seals" thing as a bit of jumping the shark. Almost prescient, isn't it? There was a point in time when the Navy wouldn't even publicly acknowledge they existed. Now they're starring in their own movies.

On the other hand, could this be an up close, technically correct and personal look into modern SPECWAR operations that doesn't have Charlie Sheen all jacked up on coke and "winning" and Michael Biehn trying not to be Cpl. Hicks (again)? That, I might pay to go see.

[MarkD]

One of the local throwaway rags gave it a lousy review, said the Seals lacked "emotion", by which I assume they weren't all eaten up by the angst of being forced to kill people they didn't understand coupled with the fact that they're too stupid to do anything but be in the military.

Note to movie critics: These are warriors. They're not spoiled little brats who get all bent out of shape if they didn't get skim-milk in their latte pretending to be warriors. They have a job to do, and they do it. We should count ourselves lucky that they let us watch as they do it.

My wife isn't interested in seeing it, so I may end up waiting for DVD.

[Bullspit]

One of the local throwaway rags gave it a lousy review, said the Seals lacked "emotion", by which I assume they weren't all eaten up by the angst of being forced to kill people they didn't understand coupled with the fact that they're too stupid to do anything but be in the military.

Note to movie critics: These are warriors. They're not spoiled little brats who get all bent out of shape if they didn't get skim-milk in their latte pretending to be warriors. They have a job to do, and they do it. We should count ourselves lucky that they let us watch as they do it.

My wife isn't interested in seeing it, so I may end up waiting for DVD.

I saw it without my wife. This is one I wanted to see on the big screen.

As for the review and lacking emotion. The reviewer didn't see the same movie I did. There was plenty of emotion. Like you said, it just wasn't the skim-milk latte type of emotion that was expected by the reviewer.

[Kommander]

The SEALs are being used as a media distraction device. If they are looking as the SEALs then they wont be looking for other stuff.

[Steamforger]

The Seals are being used as a recruiting device. Nevermind the fact that only 1% or so of guys that join up with the intention of volunteering for combat will make it through BUD/s. That paint ain't gonna chip itsself, son. Turn to!

[AZMARK]

I almost had to pull over while driving yesterday when a local radio host was reviewing the movie.
He had the same critic as most others, great action scenes, but the SEAL's had a had time doing dialog and emoting.
I was laughing so hard when he said "the sniper terrifies me, he was so calm, and never got excited" I had tears.