Director/Screenwriter Peter Berg hangs up fighting underwater aliens to fight the Taliban with the Navy in this war drama based on a true story. A team of four SEALs are assigned to take out Ahmad Shahd in a small village in Afghanistan.
The opening sequence, much like the introduction of a documentary, features real-time video of a Marine training camp. Clip after clip, we watch as soldiers-in-training are put through various extremes. In what’s a very nice touch by Berg, it not only establishes empathy within us for these brave men and women, but it also serves as a reference for certain events that take place later on in the film.
Like his character, Mark Wahlberg is an intensely committed actor in this role. It’s a very emotional and intense performance from Wahlberg. He’s no longer an actor portraying a soldier, but a soldier constantly calculating, encouraging his team and fully dedicated to his mission. It’s a role unlike any he’s yet sustained in years and it’s a role that we’re meant to take seriously for a change (relative to his latest roles). Wahlberg shows that he has plenty of range as an actor emotionally and, if not in previous films, people should recognize his true talents in ‘Lone Survivor’.
Once ‘Lone Survivor’ starts to get that “America is the best” feel to it—a vibe that is prominent in war films—it shoots down that idea. Luttrell, who not only experienced it firsthand, but also wrote the novel of which this film is based, focuses our attention towards some of our tactical flaws as well as a small population within Afghanistan that are against the Taliban—a group often overlooked by the media. Focusing more on the humanity of these individuals, we’re encouraged to root for them alongside the Americans. It’s also in these very moments that we start to see a breakdown of the language barrier. Although brief, an exchange between a young boy, his father and Wahlberg’s character, Marcus, is particularly precious—and a bit humorous—as they begin to understand each other.
As much as it was mentioned in dialogue, the men of ‘Lone Survivor’ didn’t feel like the band of brothers that they were meant to be, or at least, convey for the story’s sake. Some dialogue spoken between men hint that there is a close bond between these four men, but it doesn’t register the same impact had Berg taken a little more time to develop a bit more of the characterization with each man. As the story gets more intense, although Berg does a fantastic job at creating that deep sense of elongated terror, the events that transpire in these dire moments don’t make us feel any more sympathy than we’d feel with anyone else in that situation. We aren’t given a chance to really get to know all of these men and that takes a little away from the film.
Not to sound incredibly nit-picky, but the blood used looks fake. As expected in war films, the action scenes get pretty brutal. There are few shots captured in slow motion to get the full effect of what shards and multiple bullets can do to one body. The slow motion sequences, although few, is are subtle, but excellently shot moments. However, this small blunder (along with some of the CGI used) when overlooked is not as effective if it doesn’t look real.
Nonetheless, ‘Lone Survivor’ manages to stay on course regarding its main objective and themes. It’s a step in the right direction for both Berg and Wahlberg. It’s a film in which you can tell both cast and crew had an incredible time shooting this film and it’s brought to our attention on screen. ‘Lone Survivor’ also serves as a reminder to civilians of just how much they suffer so that the rest of us can enjoy our freedoms. It’s one of Berg’s best and definitely worth your time at the movies!
Jim’s Rating: 7.9/10