Took my two daughters to see Act of Valor this evening.
In a word, LEGIT.
No spoilers here, but let me share this: one daughter came away shaking inside, said she had tears in her eyes...she has a friend who ships off to Boot on Monday (tomorrow). My other daughter said it was the kind of movie, and the kind of message, that would make her want to enlist. She won't though, because she fears the physical agility requirements, and I respect that. It has been a topic at home on-and-off since 9/11/01. But she, too, was crying.
Especially (and you will know what I mean when you see it) when they scroll the "list". My youngest was digging her fingers into my arm. She almost went into the Navy, with a (practice) ASVAB score of 99.
And, (reference my above post), I was steered wrong: the bad guys in the Philippines are not the same, but close in the sense of muslim extremist fanatics, but led by someone else. This just happened to have bad guys from the Philippines.
It brought to mind the lines that are spoken, before the award is given, you know, the one with an inverted star, hanging from a baby-blue ribbon with white stars on it, and they say it was for "Conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against any enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party."
Unfortunately, too many of those who wear our Country's uniform, give the ultimate sacrifice but under conditions that do not meet the criteria of the award. This is wrong. Just ask the guys left behind.
Great movie guys. If you would watch it for the content, the message, it is worth it. If you want COD-like shoot-em-ups, it is worth it. If you want Academy-award winning performances, watch something else. This movie is too close to the "real thing", yes, some literary license thrown in, but still it is more real world than Hollywood, if that makes any sense.
Some graphic scenes, hence the R rating, but it is nothing that kids don't see when they play MOH or COD.
Highly recommend.
