Review of Act of Valor (2012) by David G — 12 Dec 2012

"For all those who've been down range, to us, and those like us -- damn few.".

There's nothing better than going to a movie with little expectations and being pleasantly surprised. That's just how Act of Valor turned out for me. Act of Valor is a powerful film about sacrifice, the brotherhood of soldiers, and bad-assery. It's a mixed bag of a film. It's also not the best military film. Act of Valor is a film that makes me proud to live along-side of soldiers and heroes.

The plot is told in a scatterbrained style following a band of Navy Seals on a globe trotting mission to stop suicide bombers entering the back door of America. It tinkers on being "Call of Duty: The Movie" at points. The plot is pretty simple, but that's not the point. The acting is shallow and silly, but that's not the point. The script is cheesy, but that's NOT THE POINT.

Act of Valor is about showing what soldiers around the world do, the unsung heroes that cheat death every day to protect our country. Act of Valor could be considered the most real military film of recent memory because it displays real sacrifice, real situations and real men doing really awesome stuff. It makes you proud to be a citizen of America. If it doesn't, then check your pulse.

Speaking of which, Act of Valor is a seriously intense film. It's graphic and raw. It's no-bars-held-back, and it's really amazing how suspenseful this film becomes by the final scenes. The action is stellar, and the sequences that show the SEALS doing their handiwork are very well directed. These prolonged action moments are the best part of Act of Valor. I was never confused about what was going on, and the way that these actors/SEALS handle themselves in combat is exciting to watch; and it is extremely believable.

Now, Act of Valor isn't a perfect movie. Far from it actually. Its acting is pretty bad in spots, but there are moments (the interrogation scene, i.e.) that shine. It doesn't help that the script is pretty lame, but there are plenty of great moments and some truly great laughs (not at the script) to be had.

Being a military brat all my life I couldn't walk away from this film without conviction and patriotism. It isn't the best military film, but what it sets out to do, and what it ends up doing, is completing the mission with success. But these soldiers are never thanked, never celebrated. The ones that deserve thanks are the ones that gave up their lives to protect us from evil and protecting their fellow brothers in arms. Act of Valor is the story of the unsung hero. And let us never, never forget the unsung heroes that protect us.