Based on a true story, the film “Lone Survivor” has made its mark as one of the best war movies of all time.
This movie follows a four-man reconnaissance team of SEAL Team 10’s Operation Red Wings mission on June 28, 2005 to capture or kill a notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah during the War in Afghanistan.
“Lone Survivor” starts by showing actual film clips of SEAL training and what they go through to become one of the strongest military units in the world.
Some soldiers make it through training and those who fail are forced to ring a bell and put their helmets down in a line out of respect for those who make it through.
After this scene, viewers are taken to the Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan where they are introduced to the four men who conduct Operation Red Wings.
Mark Wahlberg, who helped produce the movie along with director Peter Berg, plays Special Warfare Operator Second Class Marcus Luttrell. Luttrell brought this story to life with author Patrick Robinson to create the 2007 book of the same name.
Taylor Kitsch plays team leader Lieutenant Michael P. “Murph” Murphy, Emile Hirsch plays Special Warfare Operator Second Class Danny Dietz and Ben Foster plays Special Warfare Operator Second Class Matthew “Axe” Axelson.
Soon after meeting the characters, viewers, along with squad members, are given a briefing of what the operation will consist of. After this Murphy, Luttrell, Dietz and Axelson are dropped via fastrope to the drop zone to begin their mission. The team moves quickly through the checkpoints on the backside of a mountain and soon gets a visual on the village that Shah resides in and of Shah himself. Murphy gives the team orders to rest up so they can continue their mission the next day.
Soon after viewers are shown the team resting, they see goat herders walking through the mountain near where the team is stationed for the night. The herders walk in the area and do not spot the hidden team and viewers see Luttrell moving his leg back so he won’t get stepped on. He didn’t move his leg far enough because a herder steps on his foot and the team is forced to step out and capture the three herders.
The team is then faced with a tough decision, whether to let the guys go because of Rules of Engagement and abort the mission, or kill them so they won’t tell the Taliban that Americans are in the mountainside.
Although not a popular decision, the team lets the three herders go and are then forced to retreat and call in evacuation, but the communications are down because the team is out of range and they are unable to call back to base.
The team soon becomes involved in the fight of their lives.
Although some events are stretched for movie purposes, “Lone Survivor” is a gruesome movie that shows a glimpse of what real life situations are for the men and women who fight for this country.
I have heard that this is a propaganda film, but I never thought that the entire time I was watching it. This movie made me proud to live in this country and admire those who serve and protect us.
The guys I saw this with all agreed it was a very impactful movie and it really made them think.
Before going into this movie, I heard it was the best war movie to come out since “Saving Private Ryan” and it did not disappoint. It has become one of my favorite movies I have ever seen and I will go watch it again if I have the chance.
“Lone Survivor” is playing at the Conway Cinemark with a run time of 121 minutes and is rated R.
