Movie Review: ACT OF VALOR Feels Real

The men of the U.S. Navy SEALs have taken down Osama Bin Laden, Somali pirates, and now they face the biggest challenge yet - acting. ACT OF VALOR stars Active Duty U.S. Navy SEALs and when it comes to action, these Hollywood recruits help create some of the most authentic and intense action scenes from a first-person shooter perspective. Too bad the acting, the cheasy dialogue and the weak story didn't complete the experience.

The men of the Navy SEALs' Bandito Platoon go on a mission to rescue a CIA operative (Roselyn Sanchez) from a drug cartel only to uncover a larger global plot to bring terrorists to the United States through Mexico.
Directors Mike "Mouse" McCoy and Scott Waugh recruited real-life active duty U.S. Navy SEALs in starring roles and the U.S. Navy gave the production team unprecedented access to military's elite force. Captain Duncan Smith, a 27-year veteran of the Navy SEALs was a key player in developing the movie.

ACT OF VALOR was the first film to begin as a Naval Special Warfare project when the director's production company Bandito Brothers filmed a short documentary in 2007 about the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen. The Navy viewed the final project and were so impressed with the documentary they approved a feature film by the production company. Countless other production companies submitted proposals for a film about the U.S. Navy but the Bandito Brothers were the only ones to get the seal of approval. Navy SEAL's were not the only soldiers recruited for the film. Real military members were employed  in their field as pilots, aviators, and the submarine personnel. The script was tailored to reflect how operations are conducted.

Given that background, it's no wonder the action scenes have such an authenticity that it leaves you feeling like you're in the battle ground with these elite fighters. The directors employed a first-shooter perspective that was effective in getting across the adrenaline-filled moment where you can't help but feel, along with the characters, like there's a chance you might not come out alive. ACT OF VALOR is not your Michael Bay view of the military.  This feels raw and real with true heroism, not glorified or polished like Michael Bay portrays in his Transformer movies.

While the action scenes are worth seeing ACT OF VALOR, don't expect a strong storyline, professional acting or good dialogue from the men of the Navy SEALs. They do a good job in real-life so why would we expect them to come into a fictional movie and be thespians. The script is a little weak in the plot and the dialogue on the page feels awkward or maybe its just the delivery.   While we sympathize with the characters, there is not much character development.  We don't know much about them except the stakes are high for one Navy Seal who wants to return to his wife before she delivers their first son. .

The point of making ACT OF VALOR was to showcase these true heroes, not to win an Academy Award.  They accomplished that goal. You leave the theatre feeling more sympathy for these soldiers who put their lives at risk for their country and glad you're not the one in the middle of the chaos.

ACT OF VALOR is now playing in movie theatres.