Act of Valor

[Corlissimo]

I read the book before watching the movie.

I didn't think the acting was that bad. Some of those guys are way better actors than Nicholas Cage and better than some of the other meat-head action flick guys as of late.

I guess, in the end, I was a little disappointed that it didn't follow the book a bit more. The movie was a great recruiting flick, with nonstop action, etc., but as far as creating the same emotional investment with the story and character development that the book did, I guess it just fell short for me. I'll admit at the end of the book, even I got a bit choked up. At the end of the movie, it just seemed like a progression of the story line.

Thanks for this post. I think you've saved me a bit of a let-down.
I read the book a while back and thought it was a great read with good character development and the story definitely had me emotionally invested. Maybe in a while I'll see the film but for now I think I'll just keep the mental images created by the book instead of diluting them with the film, as good as it may be.

[Suvorov]

Saw it on a flight the other day. The little 5x7 screen didn't do it justice, but I enjoyed it anyway. The acting is what it was, but those guys are 10,000 times better actors than a guy like Charley Sheen is a SEAL. Something about me really wants to be convinced that the guy on screen can really do the things he is doing in the movie. I guess that is why I may be the only guy who thinks George Lazenby was the best 007 and can't watch the current fraud based on the fact that Daniel Craig can't dive a stick.

As a recruiting film, I think it will probably hit its mark. As an action film, it did pretty well, especially for guys who like gun porn or guys who serve or have served. I agree it definitely could have used more character development, but just like any other movie of its sort, there just isn't enough time to do that and make it a popcorn movie. It definitely shows the caliber of men we have serving in the Special Ops as well as other branches, which is worth something in today's world.

Reading the reviews on Amazon.com is always a hoot. Apparently some folks in San Francisco were offended by this movie. As a result, I ordered a copy for my old man fo r Father's Day.

As someone who has a home about 20 miles South of SF, I pretty much am offended every time the wife cons me into heading up into that city.

[TCinVA]

Finally saw the movie the other night. The best part, IMO, was the interrogation of the billionaire playboy bad guy. The rest...well...I don't think it really did justice to the topic they were trying to get at. If you're going to make a movie with AD guys from NSWG then really invest in it. That means a good script, etc. That horrid "Battleship" movie probably had a bigger budget for 3 minutes of CGI footage than AOV had for the whole movie.

A better script and a little more work on the visuals would have made for a better movie and would have been more effective at getting the point they were going for across, IMO. More on-screen time for the minigun wouldn't have hurt either.

[LOKNLOD]

More on-screen time for the minigun wouldn't have hurt either.

I think 90 minutes of quality minigun footage could make a standalone box office hit.

[JHC]

Yeah, not going to promises. Just wish I could. We talked about this on our first date a couple years ago, but I think it's getting a lot more real for her now.

My service was long ago in relatively placid times but I've got one son on AD now with a unit that deploys a lot and another working on his admin for enlisting 11B/Abn. Mom has seen this coming for YEARS as they been tracking this way a long time but is still struggling with it.

Personally, speaking for me, I believe NOT thinking long and hard on the worst case is a mistake. Without obsessing on it however. "Acceptance" does NOT mean avoidance. However the decision to do that is a personal one. IMHO.

[98z28]

Finally saw the movie the other night. The best part, IMO, was the interrogation of the billionaire playboy bad guy. The rest...well...I don't think it really did justice to the topic they were trying to get at. If you're going to make a movie with AD guys from NSWG then really invest in it. That means a good script, etc. That horrid "Battleship" movie probably had a bigger budget for 3 minutes of CGI footage than AOV had for the whole movie.

A better script and a little more work on the visuals would have made for a better movie and would have been more effective at getting the point they were going for across, IMO. More on-screen time for the minigun wouldn't have hurt either.

Fully agree. Just watched it the other night. Knowing that you are watching true warriors do their thing makes a difference, to me. If it had been actors, it would have been terrible. Watching the interviews with the SEALs and directors involved in the movie made it better as well.

[NickA]

Knowing that you are watching true warriors do their thing makes a difference, to me. If it had been actors, it would have been terrible.

Watched it this weekend and I agree. I found it more moving knowing that these were the actual guys that do these things, especially in the more emotional scenes that didn't involve combat. I'd say they did a heck of a job getting through those scenes without choking up.
It just made it a more powerful reminder of what these warriors go through, what they give up to do it, and how little they get (or expect) in return. As they say in the movie, Damn few. All I could think was Damn right, and I'm glad they're out there.
Oh and the boat exfil was awesome. Depending on which end you're on, the sound of those GAU's has to be the most beautiful music, or absolutely terrifying.


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