Hollywood has produced many films based on true stories and has been doing so for years, but then a film, here and there, comes along that is actually written as an original story and If I didn't know better, I would've thought "Bennett's War" was also based on a true story. However, it is not which makes it more intriguing since it is out of the imagination of a writer. Who would have thought?
After surviving an IED explosion while attempting to save his comrade, Riley (Michael King) in combat overseas, Marshall Bennett (Michael Roark), a young soldier in the Army Ranger Motorcycle Unit is medically discharged and told by the doctors that one more accident could mean he may never walk again. When he gets home to his family farm, he discovers that his father, Cal (Trace Adkins), is behind in the mortgage and may lose the farm. Marshall's wife, Sophie (Allison Paige) constantly dotes over Marshall because of her fear that what the docs said may come true. Marshall works for a friend, Cyrus (Ali Afshar) who owns a motocross shop. As his leg, which was broken in the explosion, heals and gets stronger, Marshall believes, against all odds, that to help his family by the only means he knows...is to get back on his bike and do what he does best--to motocross, which is what he was famous for before entering the Army.
Others to round out the cast are Hunter Clowdus as Chris Walker, Brando Eaton as Kurt Walker, Tony Panterro as Tony Panterro, Taylor Kalupa as Amber, Anton Fair as Private Myers, David Villada as Mechanic and Josh Trovato as Mechanic.
This was grittily and rigorously directed by Alex Kanarivelo ("Central Booking" (TV movie) '05, "Alpha Males Experiment" '09, "American Wrestler: The Wizard" '16, "The Dog Lover" '16, "Running Wild" '17, "Pray for Rain" '17, "Dirt" '18, "The Ride" '18) plus shorts and videos. This is certainly familiar territory to this filmmaker, and normally, I feel that a filmmaker going outside the box would be healthy, however, considering the subject matter of the film--motocross, it truly does take someone that has familiar experience in order to convey to his audience the authenticity involved here. This director knows how to bring his actors to emit to the audience that grit and adrenaline this sport provides. If you like the grit this director provides, his "Mickey Kelley" which he also writes is in post-production. It was also written by Ranarivelo ("The Ride" '18) plus shorts and videos. The characters here were certainly developed in a way that came across as real as possible without them being reduced to maudlin, depressed people and not allowing them to stay stuck without any change in their lives. The emotions these characters exuded were extreme, at times, but life can be this way in and of itself. Considering this story is right out of the mind of this writer, I find that refreshing and original as opposed to those writers who adapt a novel, play, article, musical, etc. Considering Ranarivelo is a virtual newcomer writer in the theatrical arena, this was better than ever could be expected. Other than a few places of jumping around and a couple of very small slow places in script, this film was a nice surprise.
This was a film where a character is pushed to the limits and, after some serious soul searching, comes out fighting to not only help himself, but also his wife, his father and his friend, Cyrus. Roark was perfect for the role of Bennett. In fact, he looks a lot like Paul Walker, who is, unfortunately, no longer with us. Walker could've pulled this off, but considering, Roark pulled this role off in spades.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG-13 94mins.
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