Review of Korengal (2014) by Nick U — 22 Jun 2014

A follow-up feature documentary to the (superior) 2010 war doc Restrepo, author-director Sebastian Junger uses more compiled footage from that film to give audiences another glimpse of war and life in a ravaged Afghanistan.

While never denying that these men are brave individuals, it presents an interesting contrast between what some of these men have taken from their war experiences. While this isn't as potent as Restrepo simply because the story has been told before, Korengal -- the name of an important Afghan valley -- sets a different pace and doesn't come across as desperate as the first as the audience is fully aware all of these men survive.

Most men relate their video-game euphoria while shooting or killing the enemy to the camera saying they did what war required (all being "fine" with it and some wanting to return) while one soldier -- Brendan O'Byrne -- gives a truly haunting monologue worried whether or not God does truly forgive for killing in war.

The truth is -- man can say it is so -- but we can say a lot of things. O'Byrne was the bright spot in this documentary. His shuddering sober fear resonated louder than any machine gun fired in Korengal.

All of these men are brave; but I'll give it to O'Byrne for being a bit braver to utter what some don't want to hear.