A lot better than what I was prepared for...

Rating: 8/10 (8 October 2014)

"Lone Survivor" is a film that I left on the backburner for a bit for several reasons. Number 1) Mark Wahlberg is an actor that I will really enjoy in one role or completely be annoyed by in another. Number 2) I am not a fan of Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, and Ben Foster (too bad that Foster's name doesn't also end with a "sch." I had a bit of a pattern going there). Number 3) The film is based on a true story of Marcus Luttrell's survival in a failed Navy SEALs operation and I was putting my money on the fact that Hollywood was going to take some insane liberties with it (the film was directed by Peter Berg and he directed "Battleship"). Finally, Number 4) I kinda thought the film was going to be one giant cheerleading session about how great America is and that everyone in Afghanistan is a terrorist working for the Taliban.
I was wrong on each of these concerns.
First off, the entire cast—even the guys who I've never once seen a decent performance from (like Kitsch and Foster)—were absolutely incredible. The team had a very real chemistry and, more importantly, they all seem grounded and realistic. That last observation is a big deal considering this is the first time I've watched Ben Foster in a film where he isn't trying to chew on every bit of scenery he can find.
Secondly, while the film does take some liberties with the story, the film is treated with a lot of respect and it really showcases the indomitable spirit of Marcus Luttrell—even though Mark Wahlberg's portrayal of him isn't even close to how really badass Luttrell was. Finally, going along with that whole respect thing, the movie isn't just one long fireworks display about how awesome our service men are. The movie is more about the men who were trapped behind enemy lines and cut off from all rescue. The film also stays away from Fox News-ing it up and will actually show that because someone is from the Middle East it doesn't mean they are a terrorist. The movie shows how Luttrell was sheltered by an Afghani village and protected from the Taliban. A fact like that was one of those liberties I feared was going to be taken but it wasn't and it made the film less about the war and more about the tale of survival—which is what is was meant to be.
Overall, I was very surprised with how well constructed and how human "Lone Survivor" was. Much better than I had originally predicted.