Act of Valor (6/5/2012)

Rated R for strong violence, including some torture, and for language.

Starring Roselyn Sanchez, Alex Veadov, Jason Cottle, and Nestor Serrano

Directed by Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh

When two CIA operatives on assignment are attacked in their hotel room in Latin America, resulting in one being killed and the other being taken hostage, Navy SEALs are deployed on a rescue mission. But intelligence collected during that operation unearths an elaborate terrorist plot intended to strike multiple cities across America.

For the next two hours, it’s the world’s worst bad guys versus the world’s “butt-kickingest” good guys.

Based on a series of actual military events, Act of Valor weaves together a fictional story that allows viewers to follow the day-to-day lives of America’s elite fighting force, the Navy SEa, Air, and Land personnel (aka, SEALs). The movie probably doesn’t star anyone you’ve ever heard of…mainly because the film employed active duty Navy SEALs who remain anonymous throughout the entire film.

Providing a description of the movie is simple: it’s any James Bond flick meets Black Hawk Down. Like Black Hawk Down, the action is just about nonstop once it starts, and like your average Bond film, it takes place on (almost) every continent on the planet. In all honesty, this plot has been done before. It’s your typical “team-of-commandos-saves-the-world.”

But this behind-the-scenes footage with the film’s directors reveals why I respect this movie so much. Not only does it show “how” the film was made, but it also tells “why” it was made. If you’re planning on watching this film, take the 5 minutes necessary to watch the video, and you’ll be blown away by what you learn…like the fact that various scenes were shot with live ammunition.

Hey. They’re SEALs, not sissies!

This movie had a lot going for it. As a guy who loves to study military history as a hobby, this film was right up my alley. But even for those who aren’t as big a nerd as me, this movie still rocked. The action scenes were exactly what I expected them to be (and then some!) knowing that real Navy SEALs were used instead of Hollywood actors.

Further, the “realness” of the movie was absolutely terrific on several levels. Knowing these eight men do this kind of a job 24/7 is inspiring, but to get a glimpse of the SEALs’ real families (both spouses and children) and what they go through when the team is deployed stirs deeply within me as a father and a husband.

Lastly, I’m pleased to report that this movie steered clear of any political statement. It’s hard to find a military-themed movie these days that isn’t packing some sort of agenda. (I’m looking at you Green Zone.) But this movie avoids any dividing issue and puts the focus right where it’s needed: on the brave men and women serving in harm’s way who deserve our nation’s respect and support.

All that said, there are a couple of aspects from the movie that keep it from replacing my favorite war movie of all time, Saving Private Ryan. The acting was much, much better than I expected, but there were a few times here and there when it was evident the movie didn’t staff the likes of Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, or Matt Damon.

But! Let me put this critique in perspective. I just watched Red Tails, the film about the celebrated Tuskegee Airmen of World War II which did use professional actors, among them Terrance Howard and Cuba Gooding, Jr., and hands down, these real-life heroes did a much better job delivering their lines (overall) than did the trained actors from Red Tails. Bottom line, if you don’t go in expecting Clooney, Pitt, or DeNiro at their very best, you won’t be disappointed.

I’m hesitant to list this final thought as a critique because it could also just as easily be referenced as a plus for the movie. You’ll have to be the judge…but Act of Valor uses loads of military terms throughout the movie.

Fortunately, I went to the screening with a friend who just happens to be a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force…you know, a manly man’s man…who personally knows a few SEALs from the West Coast. So when the movie’s dialogue sounded like this: “The SEALs will rendezvous with a QRF, be taken to a SEAL deployment platform, and then use a Mark 5 to HALO to the LZ,” I leaned over to my buddy who translated: “The SEALs will meet a Quick Reaction Force, be taken to a submarine, then catch a plane so they can parachute into the Landing Zone.”

Ohhhh. That’s what I thought, too….

For these reasons, I’m giving it a rating of Theatre Worthy. There are some action scenes that just won’t be the same in your living room!

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There isn’t any sexual content, but there are moments of strong language commonplace in military settings, as well as plenty of violence. For example, almost every kill in the movie was a gruesome “headshot,” but that’s the way SEALs do business. Further, the realities of torture, warfare, death, and terrorism are all plainly depicted.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: The movie highlights the fact that these men and women make HUGE sacrifices for our nation without expecting any glamour or fame. Further, the Navy SEALs are given the military’s most dangerous missions, and in these life-and-death situations, failure is not an option. But these teams are made up of people just like the rest of us who must work together, practice hard, and hold each other accountable for the sake of the assignment.

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: There are several appropriate responses to this film. First, we should be grateful that our nation’s military has access to these kinds of high-caliber leaders. They model an unparalleled sacrificial attitude, and in the blink of an eye, are willing to pay the ultimate price for one another and the mission. Second, we should make time to pray for our military servicemen and women. For all these reasons mentioned above, these important men and women should always be appreciated by God’s people.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Like the Navy SEALs, we have been given a mission to accomplish for God; it’s called the Great Commission. We have been commanded by Jesus Himself to “go make disciples of all nations.” This task isn’t easy, and eternity hangs in the balance, but we aren’t in the fight alone. God is with us, and in His infinite wisdom, he has put us on the most powerful team in the universe, the church. Now we just need to accomplish the mission.