ACT OF VALOR
Directed by: Mike “Mouse” McCoy and Scott Waugh
Written by: Kurt Johnstad
Starring: Alex Veadov, Roselyn Sanchez, Ailsa Marshall and Nestor Serrano
I’ve never wanted to give a film two separate grades more than I do the new film, ACT OF VALOR. While the missions the SEALs are sent on are painstakingly recreated, breathtakingly photographed, and feel astoundingly authentic, the movie – at its core – is a very standard low grade action flick. The film gives us civilians a peek behind the curtain of this elite, kick-ass organization. Given the fact this was based on real-life acts of valor, it is probably the closest thing to a documentary we’ll ever see on the SEALs. However, outside of the stellar action sequences, there’s nothing compelling or engaging to make this authentically scripted piece as extraordinary as the heroes they are representing.
ACT OF VALOR follows Navy SEAL Team 7 on their worldwide extraction and reconnaissance missions as they attempt to stop a terrorist organization – and the organization’s two villainous heads – from infiltrating our country and killing thousands of American civilians. This band of brothers is tight and works as a cohesive unit to rescue people and retrieve intel. The actors featured here are active duty Navy SEALs. To make scenes appear more genuine, and at the behest of the leads, the filmmakers used live ammunition to ratchet up the tension in the heat of combat. Plus for the quiet, more dramatic moments, some of their real life families were used. While the desire for realism is admirable, some of these choices leave the film bereft of genuine, compelling emotion. I would like to have seen more professional actors paired with the real-life badasses – a choice that worked well in HAYWIRE.
As far as the script’s tone, ACT OF VALOR is similar to an early 90’s B-grade action film mixed with a military recruitment video and a first-person-shooter videogame. Naturally, the cast excels during the action sequences. The myriad ways SEAL Team 7 are able to stealthily get into and out of dangerous situations is an amazing sight to behold, and will leave you on the edge of your seat. The eye for detail is spectacular, so much so that it’s caused an uproar amongst some, saying it gives away too many secrets.
During the team’s dramatically meaty emotional moments, however, the drawbacks of casting real people instead of actors are evident. The incessant and unrelenting narration, coupled with the cardboard-like performances, makes the film feel disjointed, clunky and overwhelmingly cheesy. They may be able to rescue people in the thick of the jungle, but they wouldn’t be able to act their way out of a box. To make up for what the leads lack during those scenes, swelling, overbearing musical cues beat the viewer over the head telling them what they should feel and exactly when they should feel it. It’s supposed to be there to accompany and complement the drama, but instead it sucks the audience right out of the story.
I find the subjects themselves – and the things they do – incredibly admirable, and am awestruck by their undying bravery and devotion to this country. However, this film doesn’t do anything that hasn’t been done before and done better by cinematic auteurs like Ridley Scott and (it pains me to say this) Michael Bay. No matter how many people our heroes have saved, the film can’t save itself from wooden performances and well-trod action movie clichés. I just hope the SEALs don’t come to “extract” me in the middle of the night because of this review…
