Act of Valor: The Infantry's Top Gun?

[Raizinman]

Anybody notice the Navy Seals sneaking into Somalia to kill civilians on the attempted rescue of someone? Why does this CIA agent who was captured get special privileges and the use of the Navy Seals? There are hundreds of kidnappings that happen without the use of the Navy Seals. What if some other county decided that the US was holding one of their CIA equivalent spies and decided to enter the US without permission late at night and snuck in and started killing police and others to get their guy out? Would the US look at that attack as a terrorist attack? Heck, we look at carrying a nail clipper on an airplane as a terrorist attack. What about the attack of the Yacht in International waters? Is that any different than what pirates do? Why are the pirates called terrorists and but the Navy Seals are called heroes? Each has their own agenda and motive. Obviously this staged movie all had happy endings, but how many of the Navy Seal attacks result in dead bodies with nothing to show for it? They didn’t show any failed missions, did they. The definition of a hypocrite is a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. If you stated beliefs are that entering a country without permission with the intent to kill people to accomplish your mission, why wouldn’t that be terrorism for ANYONE who does it or is it just anyone who doesn't live in the US.

 

[Lifted]

If you stated beliefs are that entering a country without permission with the intent to kill people to accomplish your mission, why wouldn’t that be terrorism for ANYONE who does it or is it just anyone who doesn't live in the US.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2BfqDUPL1I

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Anybody notice the Navy Seals sneaking into Somalia to kill civilians on the attempted rescue of someone? Why does this CIA agent who was captured get special privileges and the use of the Navy Seals? There are hundreds of kidnappings that happen without the use of the Navy Seals. What if some other county decided that the US was holding one of their CIA equivalent spies and decided to enter the US without permission late at night and snuck in and started killing police and others to get their guy out? Would the US look at that attack as a terrorist attack? Heck, we look at carrying a nail clipper on an airplane as a terrorist attack. What about the attack of the Yacht in International waters? Is that any different than what pirates do? Why are the pirates called terrorists and but the Navy Seals are called heroes? Each has their own agenda and motive. Obviously this staged movie all had happy endings, but how many of the Navy Seal attacks result in dead bodies with nothing to show for it? They didn

 

[irishScott]

Anybody notice the Navy Seals sneaking into Somalia to kill civilians on the attempted rescue of someone? Why does this CIA agent who was captured get special privileges and the use of the Navy Seals? There are hundreds of kidnappings that happen without the use of the Navy Seals. What if some other county decided that the US was holding one of their CIA equivalent spies and decided to enter the US without permission late at night and snuck in and started killing police and others to get their guy out? Would the US look at that attack as a terrorist attack? Heck, we look at carrying a nail clipper on an airplane as a terrorist attack. What about the attack of the Yacht in International waters? Is that any different than what pirates do? Why are the pirates called terrorists and but the Navy Seals are called heroes? Each has their own agenda and motive. Obviously this staged movie all had happy endings, but how many of the Navy Seal attacks result in dead bodies with nothing to show for it? They didn’t show any failed missions, did they. The definition of a hypocrite is a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. If you stated beliefs are that entering a country without permission with the intent to kill people to accomplish your mission, why wouldn’t that be terrorism for ANYONE who does it or is it just anyone who doesn't live in the US.

Uh-oh, we got an angsty teenager thinking about stuff here! Be careful, he might figure us all out with his deep, original notions and reveal how blind we are.

1. People died. The last scene is a funeral. This was not a happy ending. Did you even see the movie?

2. How are the SEALs any different from pirates? Comes down to intention. The SEALs are "pirating" to protect America and American lives. In the case of the movie, innocent civilian lives. "Pirates" take innocent civilian lives and steal for their own profit.

3. If we kidnapped a foreign national and their government sent in their special forces to get said national back, we'd call it a foreign attempt at clandestine extraction. A "terrorist" is one whom attempts to terrorize a populace. Forcibly extracting a prisoner is a specific rescue operation with no attempt to "terrorize" anyone.

4. Learn to think. Just because you want to feel like you know something doesn't mean that you do. The difference between SEALs and terrorists is obvious if you objectively examine the issue. This is logical fact regardless of subjective opinion.

 

[irishScott]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2BfqDUPL1I

I pledge allegiance,
to the flag,
of the United States of America
and to the Republic, for which it stands,
one nation, under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.

On my honor,
I will do my best,
to do my duty,
to God and my country,
to obey the Scout Law,
to help other people at all times,
and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.



Funny, after being "brainwashed" with all of that for a good chunk of my life I was still able to voice opposition to many actions of the US government, both Republican and Democrat. I must be Jesus to you, having survived all that brainwashing with little to no effort; and still define myself as a loyal American. I believe America is the greatest country in the world; not perfect, but the greatest; and I can draw up mucho examples if you like. Deal with it.

 

[Nebor]

Anybody notice the Navy Seals sneaking into Somalia to kill civilians on the attempted rescue of someone? Why does this CIA agent who was captured get special privileges and the use of the Navy Seals? There are hundreds of kidnappings that happen without the use of the Navy Seals. What if some other county decided that the US was holding one of their CIA equivalent spies and decided to enter the US without permission late at night and snuck in and started killing police and others to get their guy out? Would the US look at that attack as a terrorist attack? Heck, we look at carrying a nail clipper on an airplane as a terrorist attack. What about the attack of the Yacht in International waters? Is that any different than what pirates do? Why are the pirates called terrorists and but the Navy Seals are called heroes? Each has their own agenda and motive. Obviously this staged movie all had happy endings, but how many of the Navy Seal attacks result in dead bodies with nothing to show for it? They didn’t show any failed missions, did they. The definition of a hypocrite is a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. If you stated beliefs are that entering a country without permission with the intent to kill people to accomplish your mission, why wouldn’t that be terrorism for ANYONE who does it or is it just anyone who doesn't live in the US.

First of all, try the enter key sometimes, it does wonders for readability.

Second, US military assets are used to further the interests of the United States. If someone is kidnapped internationally and the SEALS are needed to rescue them, then the SEALS will be used to rescue them. Special Operations Forces have rescued *dozens* of Americans kidnapped in South America, but you never hear about it because the people aren't famous, or CIA agents, or anything really. Or do you remember the SEALS that rescued the crew of the cargo ship?

Ultimately we (the US military) operate under the imperative that American civilian lives are paramount in value. It doesn't matter where they are or (excluding criminal\treasonous activities) what they're doing, they're to be protected at all costs. At the heart of it, that's why we have a military, to protect our nation, which is made up of individuals.

Feel free to leave a notarized note with your emergency contact person specifying that you would rather not be rescued by US military assets if you're ever in a situation that might call for it.

 

[glenn1]

Alright I'm back, it was good. I'd give it a 7.5/10 overall. Now just to be clear, this is getting a 25% from the critics because in terms of classical film-making there isn't much there. The plot is loose, the characters are only mildly developed. So what makes it good?

Thanks for the review, whether there was a plot to speak of and such was exactly why I was holding back from seeing this. Think I'll just break out the Blackhawk Down DVD and re-watch that.

 

[irishScott]

Thanks for the review, whether there was a plot to speak of and such was exactly why I was holding back from seeing this. Think I'll just break out the Blackhawk Down DVD and re-watch that.

If you like Blackhawk Down, you'll probably like Act of Valor. There is a plot, and it's coherent, just loosely followed and relatively thin.

 

[Xstatic1]

will rent when it comes out on DVD.

 

[gorcorps]

I liked it, but it's flawed. TBH I think it would have been better if they just used real actors and dropped the whole "made with real SEALs!" crap. The "bad guys" who were actually actors were a lot more memorable then the real guys. I never could remember their names, and since they're always suited up I didn't know who was who and the movie never really tried very hard to make me care. They show you families and describe their background to make sure you understand that there's people who care about them, but it's a case of just showing us WHY we should care about them instead of being well written enough to ACTUALLY make us care about them.

But anyway, typical "YAY 'MERICA" military action movie. All the action was well done and intense and there's a lot of it... so they knew what the strength of the movie was. Not something you need to see in theaters, but the impact of the fighting and explosions probably won't feel as good at home unless you have a nice setup.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I liked it, but it's flawed. TBH I think it would have been better if they just used real actors and dropped the whole "made with real SEALs!" crap. The "bad guys" who were actually actors were a lot more memorable then the real guys. I never could remember their names, and since they're always suited up I didn't know who was who and the movie never really tried very hard to make me care. They show you families and describe their background to make sure you understand that there's people who care about them, but it's a case of just showing us WHY we should care about them instead of being well written enough to ACTUALLY make us care about them.

But anyway, typical "YAY 'MERICA" military action movie. All the action was well done and intense and there's a lot of it... so they knew what the strength of the movie was. Not something you need to see in theaters, but the impact of the fighting and explosions probably won't feel as good at home unless you have a nice setup.

This pretty much is what I thought^

 

[GTaudiophile]

Saw it. Enjoyed it. So did my gf.

Acting is not as bad as they say.

The rest is pure win!

 

[GTaudiophile]

BTW, I got goose bumps when the patrol boats arrived and you heard the sound of this.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Saw it. Enjoyed it. So did my gf.

Acting is not as bad as they say.

The rest is pure win!

I thought the actual acting parts from the SEALs were BAAAAAAD. The intro was SO cheesy.

The combat was legit though.

Speaking of which, if you wanna know how to make a real war movie: See The Hurt Locker, BHD or SPR.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I thought the actual acting parts from the SEALs were BAAAAAAD. The intro was SO cheesy.

The combat was legit though.

Speaking of which, if you wanna know how to make a real war movie: See The Hurt Locker, BHD or SPR.

Those are all fine movies.

But this was certainly worth seeing on the big screen. Just $23 for two tickets. Why not on a cold February evening?

 

[RavenSEAL]

Those are all fine movies.

But this was certainly worth seeing on the big screen. Just $23 for two tickets. Why not on a cold February evening?

$23? Jeez, I paid $10 for 2.

But the movie was indeed worth watching, the ending is just so damn good.

 

[JDawg1536]

I thought the actual acting parts from the SEALs were BAAAAAAD. The intro was SO cheesy.

The combat was legit though.

Speaking of which, if you wanna know how to make a real war movie: See The Hurt Locker, BHD or SPR.

Hurt Locker? Way overrated.

 

[davmat787]

Thanks for the review, whether there was a plot to speak of and such was exactly why I was holding back from seeing this. Think I'll just break out the Blackhawk Down DVD and re-watch that.

The fact it was not made with a classical film making style (what irishScott discusses) is what the directors intended from what I understand. They did not want typical hollywood actors and plotlines, they wanted to portray reality through a SEAL's eyes as much as possible.

If the critics are panning the film because of this, I would wager the directors take that as a compliment, but wish their intentions were better understood.

In the beginning, they tried using real actors/stuntmen with SEAL's as technical advisors, but both the directors and SEALs quickly realized that the SEALs would do a much better job realizing the directors goals.

It was filmed using DSLR's too, not traditional high end cameras too, which speaks a ton as to the state of the art.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Hurt Locker? Way overrated.