"We do what we do. What we have to do".

Rating: 8/10 (9 November 2014)

With the revelation just this past week of the identity of the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden (his name is Robert Oneil), it was also made known that the same individual took part in the boarding of the Maersk Alabama in the rescue of Captain Phillips, and was part of the extraction team that pulled Marcus Luttrell out of Afghanistan. That's what prompted me to pick up a copy of "Lone Survivor" right away, although it would have remained on my radar anyway. I guess time will tell if Oneil's actual involvement in all three missions is true or not. In the meantime, the courage and honor that's required to serve our country's Armed Forces has never been as dramatically portrayed as the story of the "Lone Survivor".
It's been stated by many on the review pages for this film, and I have to second that - this is not an easy movie to watch. Once the four man force becomes the target of enemy Taliban in the rocky outcrops of Afghanistan, the action is relentless and unimaginable. Obviously well choreographed and staged for dramatic effect, as viewers we come to understand that SEAL training is only a warm-up for the hardships that come with assignment to a live mission. The undeniable valor of the men depicted in the story resonates with the pride they have in serving their country to their dying breath. These men live and die for the challenge, with fierce determination and a pride expressed in Matt Axelson's unyielding declaration - "You can die for your country. I'm going to live for mine."