“Act of Valor,” a new film from Relativity, is a fitting tribute to the fallen Naval Special Warfare members, who give their lives on a regular basis to protect our country from terrorism.
The movie’s plot is focused on a team of Navy SEALs – who toast themselves as “the damn few” –who embark on a mission to rescue kidnapped CIA Agent Morales (Roselyn Sanchez). During the mission (a battle scene featuring military gadgets James Bond would envy) the team recovers information revealing that a terrorist cell is working to infiltrate and attack America at home. The SEALs’ mission quickly becomes a hunt for the cell to thwart the attack, even if they die trying.
The film is directed by stuntman Mike “Mouse” McCoy and stunt coordinator Scott Waugh and written by Kurt Johnstad (“300”). The story is simple: five “acts of valor” are tied together by terrorist Abul Shabal’s (Jason Cottle) attempt to attack the United States. In order to give the film the first-person experience, McCoy and Waugh used head-cam footage, digital map overlays and features the latest Navy technology presented in “Call of Duty” style, making for spectacular cinema.
“Act of Valor” is unique in that the film stars active duty Navy SEALs. The SEALs themselves are average actors, but their performance in action scenes make Hollywood’s best action heroes look like amateurs. Every movement by the SEAL team is calculated and instinctive. Strong performances from villains Cottle and Alex Veadov, who plays the smuggler Christo, and Sanchez keep the film moving during the first 20 minutes before the SEALs begin their mission. Once the battle scenes, which were designed by the real SEALs, take over, it becomes an action-packed ride.
The film also has emotional depth. When the SEAL team buries one of its own members, is it one of the most powerful moments of the movie. After everyone else has left, an injured SEAL sits watches over the casket. In this scene the SEAL just stares, deep in thought, and the expression on his face clearly shows he’s been through this situation before or has considered it countless times. It’s very emotional without portraying a trace of emotion.
At its core, “Act of Valor” is the story of the real SEAL members and their families, and everything they give up to keep our nation safe. There are damn few people like them in the world, and the film is a worthy tribute to their sacrifices.
