Review of Lone Survivor (2013) by Rreinhardt — 24 Feb 2014

Although the battle scenes are incredibly intense, there are some serious flaws in this movie that ultimately disappoint. Firstly, if you read the book, you will be disappointed that the protagonists experience is seriously abridged, with a considerable amount of incredible hardship and storyline omitted.

Secondly, the film begins in a cliched almost fawning way, with the (what seems now standard) portrayal of Seals as warm hearted,, cuddly, lovely guys who are just doing a job. Whether it's true or not, this seems to be the standard way such movies start these days, with a kind of implication that special forces soldiers are societies moral exemplars, and it's getting really boring.

Thirdly, the ending is the standard "cavalry arrives in a nick of time" conclusion that is very disappointing and cliched, and had nothing to do with the book. I don't believe the protagonist died and was revived in real life either.

And it's a shame that the movie excluded Lutrell's glowing account and recommendation of the use of raw opium as an analgesic.