Lone Survivor

Most war movies speak about how a bunch of dedicated, strong, dexterous, agile, smart officers in the American services (Army, Air Force, Navy, Seals, Marines etc.) fight against all odds to kill their enemies and win a war in the most impossible circumstances.  Petty Officer 1^st Class – Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg) – gives us the other perspective of a war.  One in which not all battles end with victory on the American side.

In his book, Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10, Luttrell describes how the said operation disintegrated despite the troop’s best efforts and how in the bargain, three of his mates lost their lives somewhere in Taliban infested Afghanistan.

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer (I have got bored of using the word multi-talented / multi-faceted) – Peter Berg – begins Lone Survivor by establishing each character very carefully.  The characters of Lt. Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Petty Officer 2^nd Class Matt “Axe” Axelson (Ben Foster) and Petty Officer 2^nd Class Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) have very carefully been fleshed out to give the audience a personal connect.

Having done that, he sets out unravelling the best laid plans to assassinate notorious Taliban Leader Ahmad Shah in a territory that is probably most outside the comfort zone for anyone other than the Taliban.  Seal Team 10 sets out to complete the reconnaissance for the area and all seems to be going as per plan when a chance encounter with 3 villagers who are out grazing their goats leads to all plans going downhill.

Berg does well with the first 15 minutes or so but loses the audience during the debriefing of RedWing with narration that is confusing and very difficult to keep up with for the average audience.  He also slows the pace down, dramatically, for the next 15-20 minutes or so before the proverbial “hell breaks loose” period.

The fight sequences unfold at a frenetic pace and are also shot quite well.  So if you are in a war movie to watch these sequences, you have got yourself a roller coaster ride over the next 45 minutes or so.  Berg also does well with the part involving Pashtun villager Mahamud Gulab (Ali Suliman) who eventually saves Luttrell – therefore, Lone Survivor.

Lone Survivor is an enjoyable movie. Definitely not in the top 10 movies of last year but it provides a refreshing perspective and is well shot. The performances from the cast are sincere and you will probably have very few dull moments. Put it onto your list for this weekend.  You will not be disappointed.  7 on 10.

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2949425177/?ref_=tt_ov_vi