A spectacular portrayal of war and its outcomes.

Rating: 8/10 (2 April 2014)

Lone Survivor stars Marky Mark (Wahlberg) as Marcus Luttrell, a Navy SEAL who is very well aware of the dangers which he and his team will face. And his Funky Bunch includes Taylor Kitsch and Ben Foster and a few more bearded musclemen. The story revolves around how Red Wings began and how Marcus's team fought to survive the Al-Qaeda leader Ahmad Shah's troops by using weapons, stealth and combat skills.
The plot may seem simple and may sound repetitive for those who have seen such movies. But, still viewers will be glued to their seats because the film is very intense. You can actually feel what a tough life SEALS lead because the movie shows them in a realistic manner. They are not like Rambo or John Matrix who is always ready for action; instead they are Homo sapiens who get tired and injured after a great deal of fighting.
The actors have given such realistic portrayals that apart from being wounded you can see that they are emotionally disturbed as well. Mark Wahlberg is good and has delivered some intense expressions. Taylor Kitsch delivered a fine performance (finally after giving us bad performances in flops like Battleship). Ben Foster has a small role but looks good. Eric Bana (who appeared in Black Hawk Down, another great war movie) also has a few scenes as a Lieutenant Commander.
A major aspect of Lone Survivor which makes it a thrilling watch is its sound effects and brilliant cinematography. The battle scenes are wonderfully shot and the sound effects during these scenes can send chills down the spine. Hats off to Tobias Schlieffer (cinematographer) and the entire sound mixing team to make Lone Survivor an unforgettable experience. Finally, I will praise Peter Berg who had given disappointments like "Hancock" and "Battleship" for doing a remarkable job by directing this film.
So my verdict for the Lone Survivor is that it is a movie which is a visual treat and is masterfully directed; an acute portrayal of troubled times during war. Added the sound effects, Lone Survivor is truly a memorable watch which gives the message of courage and will touch the heart of viewers and critics alike.