12 brave soldiers riding into battle delivers on the action but lacks in character depth.

Rating: 7/10 (20 January 2018)

12 Strong shows the highlight of the 12 American soldiers battling against the Taliban soldiers after the 9/11 attacks. 12 Strong could have been a really good war film. It may have its problems with a lack of characterization in the script and a repetitive concept with the action. But the cast ensemble and the action sequences are well worth the admission.
The plot follows after the 9/11 attacks. CIA paramilitary soldiers Cpt. Mitch (Chris Hemsworth) was in a hurry to go back into service after seeing the terror attacks in the news. Mitch enlist he brings his team together Sam (Michael Pena) and Spencer (Michael Shannon). Their mission in Afghanistan is to join forces with the alliance Abdul Dostum (Navid Negahban) and his army to help eliminate the Taliban forces.
What I liked about 12 Strong is it does deliver on the action and explosions. May not be the best war film like Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk, 13 Hours, ect. Seeing the brave men of Mitch and his paramilitary team form a bond with the alliance. After the 9/11 attack. His team motives of going back into service was to go kill some terrorists, no questions ask. They had trouble seeing eye to eye with the alliance. But there bond, that they will stand by the americans side to fight for there country against the Taliban. Like a saying of my enemy of my enemy is my friend or something like that. The film has a few small action sequences were Mitch calls an airstrike to eliminate the Taliban camp site with a little bit of a shoot out. Then, the climax does deliver it all with lots of explosions, intense shoot outs, and an army on horse back riding out into battle.
Chris Hemsworth did great. Michael Shannon was also good. Michael Pena did well. And even Navid Negahban was also good.
What I did not like about the film. I feel like the script was lacking in character depth and the plot was repetitive with the teams mission in Afghanistan. Sure, we learn a little bit about the three main characters. Chris Hemsworth has a family. His wife knows what she is in for. He is a true American patriot, when an attack on American soil happens. He will go overseas to help fight back in battle. Michael Shannon is also a family with a wife that is tired of seeing him go. And Michael Pena's character who has a wife that is also sad and tired of seeing her husband leave. When these characters are in battle there is no emotions to feel for these characters. The script literally lacks in depth that it is difficult to care for these brave soldiers when we really should feel for them. Plus when they are in battle it does feel like the life/death stakes is down to the minimum when everything is taken care of easily. It is always an easy solution of airstrikes. When these guys are hands down fighting, they are easily taken care of from fighting back or avoiding explosions and gun fire. I feel like these characters lives are not really threatened at all. Sure, the direction also lacked in building the suspense and putting you on the edge of your seat to caring for these characters.
Also, the plot was repetitive with the team discovering the Taliban and calling an airstrike. Then it's done. It happens a couple of more times. And every break in between these character chat about their views of this war. And it is also were it missed the opportunity to have development for the characters. And than the final battle when 12 american soldiers are battling on horseback and getting last minute help from the alliance. Sure, these soldiers ride into battle like if it was nothing and they were invincible in avoiding gun fire and explosions.
Overall, 12 Strong is a pretty fair war film. It has some great action battle sequences that will keep you entertained. Chris Hemsworth and the cast were a great choice. The film does lack in character development in the script and the direction was repetitive with the plot.
I rate the film 3.5 out of 5 stars. I recommend in seeing the film in theatres for the action. May not be the best war film but still worth seeing.