Review of Act of Valor (2012) by Alvin Y — 14 Aug 2012

Just a very convincing and exciting movie. I don't know if I should be feeling emotional are the end of the movie. This made me think Hollywood can afford to cast real soldiers rather than REAL actors. I also think the movie suffers a lot from anti-propaganda that even the US Government doesn't give a damn about it. The script however is just ridiculous and unworthy to listen rather than to see it. The action scenes are just like watching/playing those video games like *Call of Duty* but damn, it's pretty cool! The performances are also beyond farfetched since these people are not REAL professional artists, but still, pretty realistic. The soundtrack was very over to the top, that even the Transformers movies could not reach it. The dramatic storyline on each characters could have done better and more dramatic, it's just really weak. And when it ended, I never learned anything from this movie, whether there are many people (soldiers) in REAL life that are brave and strong, or, whether terrorism is US can overkill by the government, I'm now confused!

So, why do I put the word REAL all in capital letters? Because I felt this was a realistic movie, but fake story, fake characterization, and a fake concept. Just watch some other great war films out there, you will save time, and of course, money!