Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 1/10/14

Reviewed 1/11/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Just like Jordan Belfort of Wolf of Wall Street, I had the opportunity to hear Marcus Luttrell of Lone Survivor speak a few years ago and subsequently read the book. The movie pretty much follows the book and Luttrell's speech. All were enthralling and this film is definitely a must-see. Gary loved it and thought it was a 4 1/2 -5, while I gave it a 4, though I agree it was close to that caliber.

This is a story of a Navy Seal team sent on a mission in Afghanistan based on the 2007 book of the same name. The title of the film reveals the ending, but does not make it any less exciting. You will be glued to the screen for the entire two hours even though some scenes are hard to watch. Mark Wahlberg was impressive as the low key Marcus Luttrell. Another one of the heroes of this Seal team is Matthew "Axe" Axelson played by Ben Foster, who not only resembles Axe but was brilliant in his portrayal.

Hindsight is 20/20, but one could say that about every aspect of war. If you knew the outcome, decisions would be based likewise. The mission is to infiltrate an Afghan village located in the treacherous mountains near the Pakistan border and kill a high ranking Taliban leader. Piece of cake for four exceptionally trained Navy Seals. They are dropped out of the sky in Pakistan and push their way across the border into Afghanistan. Hunkered down, their precise orders are the target. Rules of engagement is the mission and the mission only.

It's bad luck for the group when they encounter Afghan mountain goat herders. The four have a heated dispute on what to do with them. The choices are:

1. Let the goat herders go, knowing they will race down to the village and release their whereabouts to the Taliban
2. Tie them up and leave them to be found, aware of the fact they could easily die before someone finds them
3. Just kill them and buy the time needed to radio out of the compromised mission 

Choice 2 or 3 is the 20/20 decision that could have saved more lives...maybe. The leader of the Seal team is another brave soldier Sgt. Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch) and it's his call, while he sees no other choice but to follow orders. Letting the villagers go doesn't sit well, but no more questions asked they move out quickly. With communication severed to home base by faulty equipment, they have to keep going. It doesn't take any time at all for the now informed Taliban to descend on the mountain to squeeze out the Americans. The enemy has one goal and that is to kill them. The battle that ensues on the mountain is one of the most remarkable war sequences on the big screen. If you are not moved by the courage of these heroes and the code the four adhere to,  then you closed your eyes too much.

They are battered, bloodied, and half dead but still keep going, as if instinctively engrained, undoubtedly from the vigorous training Seals go through to get this far. Very unfortunate, a misguided rescue goes wrong from home base that is costly, adding to the death toll on this operation which makes it go from bad to worse to devastating. Another noteworthy aspect of this film is nearing the conclusion on how Luttrell gets out of Afghanistan. The significance of what happens can make you believe there are good people, even in circumstances like these. Watching what unfolds is truly fascinating. The true story ends with the last scene of the movie (same scene used in the beginning), Marcus Luttrell being hoisted out of the chaos half dead. Excitement from beginning to end, this is worth seeing right now. Even if you have to wince, or turn away now and then, Lone Survivor is one incredible story.

QUIET Rating system: 4 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJJ