Fast Paced, Intense, Respectful

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2014)

OK - I finally read the book. Maybe this movie could have been better. I still think it was good - but not as excellent as I wanted it to be. It is still a very moving film – fast paced, intense, respectful. And I do think it is an excellent testament to those willing to give their all. Unlike other similar flicks, this did not seem to be a lefty-lap-dog production sucking up to some feckless politician - I may be wrong in that account. I did finish the book and there are enough inconsistencies that a one-to-one comparison is probably warranted. The shortening of the story is what really got to me. The amount of stuff that this guy went through should have been brought out more. The intensive training Marcus went through to become a SEAL is extremely important. I also think the time spent under the protection of the Pushtun Tribe - that needed more amplification. I understand the need for embellishment, but I also think it is a bit. I also see many armchair-quarterback criticizing this motion picture. Fine, in some regards you may be correct. Gee golly - Hollywood never lies...duh. I watched this epoch (yes – I really liked the movie) in a cinema, located some 10 miles out of Little Creek Amphibious Base. The action was non-stop and Mark Wahlberg did a fine job. In a nutshell this is a saga of a mission tanking and a quick exit is the only option. Can you say adrenaline rush? As this group of SEALs trudge through the mountains of Afghanistan, it was obvious that the abyss of despair was becoming deeper and more hopeless. I shouldn't say much more, but when the last of the credits lingered, and eventually vanished from the screen – the deafening silence embracing the audience was astonishing. Rarely have I experienced anything so sobering. Oh I am quite sure this movie will affect people in different ways, it should. Hell, all movies affect people in different ways - that is why we all have so much fun with IMDb. For me, this was an excellent movie (and I know and accept others will not like the flick). I feel those who give their lives defending our freedoms deserve my admiration and will always be greatly appreciated. I think this movie did show quite a bit of respect. Additionally, I will never refer to any of our heroes as, 'bumps-in-the-road', nor will I cavalierly spout conjecture or manifest lies in order to discredit those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Like the book or not (if you read it) this movie was a rare and positive salute by a normally arrogant Hollywood to those in uniform. Not appearing to be pilloried to some political dogma this movie was a refreshing change. I actually believe that all politicians should watch this annually, or at least just before they decide to send people into harm's way. From a twenty year vet - good job and thanks for the excellent job - Pete Berg, et al.