Review of Lone Survivor (2013) by Foxgrove — 31 Jan 2014

The title rather obviously gives the game away and there are no prizes for guessing which of the quartet of heroes is left alive at the end. The film begins un promisingly with the usual and familiar cliched Tom foolery that I'm sure is part of military life, but is also rather tiresome to watch.

Still, once the four begin their mission to kill a notorious Taliban leader the film becomes a bone crunching adrenalin rush. Hiding out on a mountain which soon becomes a battleground the four are soon up to there necks in gunfire, explosions and blood.

These battles excitingly staged and full of nail biting tension are enhanced by hand held camera photography which effectively creates a sense of chaos and confusion. Sound effects unflinchingly capture every bullet impact, fall or smashed body part as the four find themselves battling an army of Taliban whilst not having any immediate means of escape.

As an observer you are spared none of the excruciating agony inflicted. You feel every wound. Salvation when it comes is from an unlikely source and leads to some unexpected pathos. Likewise, the final still images of the men involved in the real operation is movingly presented.