Documentary - rather than feature film

Rating: 7/10 (28 January 2014)

Military movies based on biographical books and focusing on a single operation have both advantages and disadvantages. The first includes accuracy, naturalness, real names and places, but if you know the course of action and the ending (including hinting title), then you have to find some other angles and elements to catch...
Well, the cast is evenly good, a real ensemble, although several actors performing members of the team were unknown to me.
Shootings and dramatics were also in place, but the movie was roughly and unevenly divided into 3 parts: preparation for the mission (a bit protracted), failed operation (a row of fast and changing scenes), and escape of a single man (with ups and downs, and where I was confused why the US sends their soldiers out without any knowledge of local language, even with the help of a phrase-book).
Occasional aridity in the plot is outbalanced by great cinematography and realistic atmosphere, probably better appreciated by those having direct contacts with troops or military service.
Thus, I like Lone Survivor, but there are dozens related movies I like even more, e.g. Platoon or Saving Private Ryan.