Throughout history, many films have arisen in an attempt to pay homage to the men and women that serve in our military but very few serve as an accurate tribute. “Act of Valor” was a powerful experience that invoked an air of reverence over the audience as the actions of Navy SEALs defended the United States from explosive chaos.
To the uninformed viewer, the acting would have looked purely phenomenal but watching the credits would have explained why it seemed so realistic. A team of active duty Navy SEALS was used in place of actors due to the sensitivity of the subject matter. There has never been a film of this caliber to detail the inner workings of the United States Navy and it is doubtful that another film could eclipse the impact that this film will have over the world.
The scenes were shot beautifully, particularly through all of the action scenes. The cameras on the helmets of the soldiers aided in the realism of the content of the film as the soldiers dove and were hurled through the air by the forces of various explosions. The scenarios were dangerous and the way the film was shot drove that thought home. The audience will gasp and cringe as the scenes roll by.
Through the brilliant cinematography, the content of the film is what stands out the most. The men from SEAL team 7 are family men and seemingly ordinary to the general public. The public does not understand their sacrifice and that is an insult to these men as well as those that went before them. They leave their families, never get to see their children born; they walk away from their lives in order to protect the U.S. The suffering that these men endure is unimaginable. This adds the human element to the film. It brings up the real price of safety and security in our country and forces the viewer to stare that in face.
The depictions of the relationships between the men are also shockingly sentimental. While in combat, they appear to be rugged soldiers that are nearly indestructible but there are moments where the homesick family men rise to the surface. Their connections to each other run deeper than blood ever could. These men are past being friends, past being family and on to being an indescribable unit of valor and companionship. This film really captures that element and holds on to it until the very end.
There is so much detail that went into this film that the directors and cast have gone above and beyond the call of duty to portray the depth of the US Navy in more ways than one. They are soldiers, men, fathers, brothers and friends. Their sacrifice can never be forgotten and “Act of Valor” had made sure that it won’t be.
I was moved to tears and silent reverence by the end of the film. There are no sugarcoated words that I can use to describe this experience that would do it any justice. It was an emotionally explosive experience that will stay burned into my memory for years to come. My hat is off to the directors and producers of this film, you have blown me away.
Rating: A+
