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I just watched this movie last night and I loved it. There's a lot of criticism of the acting and a lot of talk that the guys were emotionless, but I don't think people realize how realistic this was. I think the guys showed emotion the way they actually do, because it's them, being themselves. I realize people have become used to these amazing dramatic renderings of emotion as portrayed by professional actors, and yes, those portrayals are more polished and less awkward to watch.
However, having served many years myself and having worked, on occasion, with spec ops guys in both the Army and Navy, I can tell you that the way they are in real life is not perfect emotional rendering. They actually have to shut it down, and that is pretty much what it looks like from the outside. These guys are great at what they do, but what they do is not acting. I've been around some pretty intense operational moments, farewells before deployment, etc., and it doesn't look like what you would expect it to. There is a lot of awkwardness, a lot of stuffed emotions. And operators in the spec ops world ARE absolutely, ridiculously calm (some might say emotionless) in extremely intense situations. For real. It's NOT Hollywood. It's also not some fabulously beautiful man baring his soul and letting you see just how much he's going to miss you. It's things only his wife would know that show how he feels, but it doesn't look like what you'd expect necessarily.
The scenes when they are planning the ops seem a little stilted, but not as much as you would think. Dialogue in these meetings doesn't go down like something from one of the Bourne movies. People don't actually talk like that in real life. I think this was so authentic and honest, and people are so conditioned to seeing the cinematic version of events, they don't stop to think: have I ever had a conversation at work or with my significant other that sounded that perfectly timed, that cool, whatever? Nope. Not really. Not only that, the action is all real, and a lot of the bullets are real, and for people who don't get how intense and incredible that is, there's nothing anyone could possibly say to you to give you the proper perspective. You'd have to go to a live range and live it for yourself. It's a great movie, precisely because it's so real. I have no idea what all the negativity is about.
People need to get this: the reason we haven't had another 9/11 since 2001 ISN'T because there haven't been any more attempts. It's because our military has been on watch and prevented them. Doing just exactly the kinds of things you see in the movie. And how they come off as actors is irrelevant. I saw a review online that said the acting was so bad, the SEALs deserved better, to show them as they really are. I laughed. These guys ARE showing you how they really are, it's just not as set perfect as everyone wants to believe. They had daily input into the script, and wouldn't say a line if it wasn't something they'd actually say. The review also had issues with the interrogator, which I thought was also funny, because the interrogator is the real deal, and that is what he does, and how he does it, for a living, every day. How many people has the reviewer seen interrogated in real life, I wonder?
I imagine everyone whose real story has been brought to film has felt inside like they really looked good with that actress or actor portraying them, because they know it wasn't that polished in real life. This is the real deal. All those who are anti-military and who love to hate what the military does are going to find fault with this movie because it is completely unapologetic and it doesn't try to be Hollywood. It shows you just how much our guys have to do to neutralize threats. These are also the people who want to believe that threats only exist if we provoke them, and they would be terrified if they knew just how many bad guys are plotting against us every day, and would happily dispense with any of us in reaching their goals, in the most horrifying and gruesome ways possible. Anyone who is caught up in grading the quality of acting from an artistic and theatrical perspective will also be disappointed, but if you can let yourself in on the secret that this is very much how things go down in the real world, you might actually enjoy it. The filmmaking is outstanding and the story is a fictional portrayal of a real-world situation that absolutely COULD happen. This movie rocks, and I salute the film makers and especially men who made it, as well as all their brothers and sisters in arms. I am proud to have served with you.
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Customer reviews
An exceptionally great film. Rivetingly intense; for it's depiction of modern warfare (by any standard). As exceptional as any thing I've ever seen as far as amazing choreography and top notch cinematography is concerned. Story's also quite engrossing; nothing about Act Of Valor smacks of indifference or lack of respect for the subject matter. So far as war movie's go; I'd even say monumental. "Nobility grows from contained emotion..." (G.Braque) True to form, this is a soldiers story told, but withholding all (the usual) sappy overtone typically laced into most Hollywood character casts. The pathos of thespians is (almost) absent here and I'm not missing it. Actors who know nothing of the belief systems which propel barrel chested freedom fighters (such as these Navy S.E.A.L.'s) into harms way intent upon showing any enemy a sound defeat, men who train harder than most armies in the world will ever train, drill or fight.As a tribute to America's S.E.A.L.teams this picture (in my opinion) has done these men (and their families) PROUD. In memorial to these fallen Warriors (and as a token of gratitude to those who still serve); I'd say Act Of Valor stands alone as a crowning achievement of cinematic excellence within the genre. Poignant, enduring, exquisite in it's meticulous detail, uncommonly authentic and accurate in many aspects while still constituting a recognizably fast paced piece of (fictional) entertainment ; although-clearly: 'just a movie' , I'd say Act Of Valor is still pretty much just about as close as your going to get to a front row seat ringside along a 'real life' S.E.A.L. Team (behind the scenes or in action) short of making it through BUDS (training) and shoving off for active duty far-off somewhere 'down range' where the bullets are real. This thing has a pulse of it's own and two boots firmly planted on hallowed ground (straight up and down) front right and center...Five Stars. This is 'the real deal Holyfield'.One thing I can say with absolute certainty; the film provoked a strong sense of personal pride in me ...'to be an American' and pride in the S.E.A.L.s themselves, it compelled me to think about the S.E.A.L.Teams (and their families), especially the ones that must live on now without a loved one present; and of the wounded Warriors who's fight to maintain (recover) in dignity is a challenge beyond all comprehension.To the actors, the film makers, the producers and the writers I'd have to say: 'well done' ...indeed, this is beyond entertainment; 'compelling' is the only word. Spectacular, entertaining, authentic & compelling. Act Of Valor is just that... an act of valor. [...]
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Top reviews from other countries
Darth Maciek
A mixed bag - very good action scenes and likeable, noble characters but also poor scenario and weak dialogs
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 21, 2013
Keith Phillips
A little over the top
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 14, 2013Mr A.
ACTION all the way..!!! HOOYAH..!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 25, 2015
