12 STRONG

"12 Strong" is a war drama directed by Nicolai Fuglsig and starring Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Peña. The film tells the true story of a group of twelve U.S. Special Forces soldiers who were the first American troops to enter Afghanistan after the September 11th attacks. Their mission was to work with Afghan fighters to take down a Taliban stronghold, and the film chronicles their harrowing journey through the rugged Afghan terrain.

The film is based on the non-fiction book "Horse Soldiers" by Doug Stanton, which tells the story of the soldiers who fought in the early stages of the war in Afghanistan. "12 Strong" is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers, who risked their lives to protect their country and defeat a dangerous enemy.

The film is well-crafted and features some impressive action sequences. The battle scenes are intense and realistic, capturing the chaos and confusion of war. The film also showcases the harsh realities of fighting in a foreign country, where the soldiers must navigate unfamiliar terrain, language barriers, and cultural differences.

Chris Hemsworth delivers a strong performance as Captain Mitch Nelson, the leader of the twelve-man team. Hemsworth brings a sense of gravitas and determination to the role, and his physicality is put to good use in the film's action scenes. Michael Shannon and Michael Peña also deliver solid performances as members of the team, bringing a sense of humor and camaraderie to the group dynamic.

One of the film's strengths is its depiction of the relationship between the U.S. soldiers and their Afghan allies. The film emphasizes the importance of trust and mutual respect between the two groups, and shows how their collaboration was crucial to the success of the mission. The Afghan fighters are portrayed as brave and resourceful, and the film does a good job of humanizing them and showing their perspective.

However, one of the weaknesses of the film is its lack of depth in its character development. While Hemsworth's character is given some backstory and motivation, the other members of the team are largely interchangeable and underdeveloped. This makes it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level and invest in their journey.

Another weakness of the film is its oversimplification of the political and historical context of the war in Afghanistan. The film doesn't delve into the complex geopolitical factors that led to the conflict, or the long-term consequences of the U.S. military intervention. Instead, the film focuses on the immediate goal of taking down the Taliban stronghold, which feels somewhat narrow in scope.

Overall, "12 Strong" is a solid war film that honors the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in Afghanistan. The film's action scenes are well-executed, and its portrayal of the U.S. soldiers' relationship with their Afghan allies is a refreshing change from the typical Hollywood portrayal of the Middle East. However, the film's lack of depth in its character development and its oversimplification of the conflict hold it back from being a truly great war film.

Here are some things to watch for in "12 Strong":

The camaraderie between the soldiers: The film emphasizes the strong bonds that develop between the twelve-man team, and their banter and interactions help to humanize them and make them more relatable.

The Afghan perspective: The film highlights the bravery and resourcefulness of the Afghan fighters who worked with the U.S. soldiers, and shows how their collaboration was essential to the success of the mission.

The intense battle scenes: The film's action sequences are well-executed and intense, capturing the chaos and confusion of war. Keep an eye out for the use of practical effects and stunt work to enhance the realism of the battle scenes.

The stunning cinematography: The film was shot on location in New Mexico and Morocco, and the rugged terrain and sweeping vistas are beautifully captured by the cinematography.

The performances of Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Peña: The three lead actors deliver solid performances that anchor the film and help to elevate it above a standard action movie.

The accuracy of the historical details: "12 Strong" is based on a true story, so watch for how accurately the film portrays the events and the context of the conflict in Afghanistan.

The soundtrack: The film features a score by Lorne Balfe that enhances the tension and emotion of the story. Keep an ear out for the use of traditional Afghan music in the film's soundtrack as well.