Lone Survivor

War films, of recent, based on true stories have peaked the movie going audiences, especially after viewing films like "The Hurt Locker" '08, and "Zero Dark Thirty" '12. Not only have these films been so intense, but also have been Academy Award nominees and/or wins. We now have another film in the same vein in the form of "Lone Survivor".

This film which stars Mark Wahlberg as Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell tells the story of four Navy SEALs, the others being Taylor Kitsch as Michael Murphy, Emile Hirsch as Danny Dietz, and Ben Foster as Matt 'Axe' Axelson, who embark on an ill-fated mission on June 28, 2005 under the code name, "Operation Red Wings" as a covert mission to capture and/or kill a high-level Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah (Yousuf Azami). Their mission becomes compromised and are subsequently ambushed by enemy forces in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Based on the New York Times bestseller, this is a story of heroism, courage, survival, and most of all brotherhood

Others to round out the cast are Eric Bana as Erik Kristensen, Ali Suliman as Mohammed Gulab, Alexander Ludwig as Shane Patton, Rich Ting as James Suh, Dan Bilzerian as Healy, Jerry Ferrara as Hasslert, Rick Vargas as Crew Chief, and Scott Elrod as QRL SEAL.

This was directed by Peter Berg ("Very Bad Things" '98, "The Rundown" '03, "Friday Night Lights" '04, "The Kingdom" '07, "Hancock" '08, "Virtuality" (TV movie) '09, "Battleship" '12, "Bloodline" (TV movie) '13). This guy really knows how to put his actors through he riggers, and I believe the reason is that he is an actor himself, and therefore knows what it takes to have to get into character so as to be that convincing to the audience. Berg also wrote the screenplay which is based on the book by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. I knew that Berg was a talented director, but his ability to produce as a cohesive script as this was certainly a surprise. I want to see more of his writing, not that this is his first screenplay, but he's more known for his directing and acting.

The ones that probably had the most fun with this production were those at ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) and Image Engine who created the visual effects, and the special makeup effects designers, Gregory Nicotero and Howard Berger ("Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" '08, "Inglourious Basterds" '09, "I Am Number Four" '11, "Seven Psychopaths" '12) to mention just a few.

This is a must see if for no other reason than to experience, even if it is for two hours, a small bit of what these guys go through with such intensity as they do. This film will keep you riveted on so many levels where, when you leave the multiplex, it will stay with you long afterward, and with some films this should happen.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                           Rated: R                             121mins.