Lone Survivor

From 40 minutes on, the film is action packed with nonstop brutal war scenes! The tension builds as fast as the clearing of enemy heads. The excellent direction and cinematography ensure a painful trip that will make you squirm like the four main protagonists. Each of them plays their role very convincingly. Mark Wahlberg is sharp as ever, Emile Hirsch is strong and sensitive, Taylor Kitsch decently handles the difficult decisions as the leader, and Ben Foster is terrifyingly cold but compassionate. I must highlight the breathtaking camera shots of the four soldiers falling off the cliff, they were gritty and raw and gave the film a great edge. Peter Berg did a good job with the premise and the execution. After the second screening I enjoyed the film much more, so I raise to 5*. 90%. (05/01/2014)

Following Gravity and All Is Lost (and, to some extent, Captain Phillips), Lone Survivor is another high-contact fight for survival, placing vicarious experience over a complicated plot. Instead of examining the film’s content, it suffices to read the title. With the exception of the introductory panoramas of the picturesque Afghan landscape (which can be understood as part of an effort to not demonise the whole country, but only the Taliban…though the film was shot in New Mexico), Berg relies predominantly on point-of-view shots and close-ups. The camera’s close proximity to the characters occasionally results in a lack of clarity, though it also adds an unpleasant veracity. The impression of rawness is aided by the film’s R rating, thanks to which we can “enjoy” every shot-off finger and every bone-breaking impact on a rock. The film’s long, superbly intensified action core with minimum pathos is unfortunately put in a context that is not very sophisticated. After a broad introduction, the members of the team blend together, the Taliban are evil because they cut off heads, and any indication of the current American military’s inadequacies is quickly suppressed (the unpleasant hazing of a new recruit rapidly transmutes into an inspiring rhyme). In contrast to what we have witnessed (a fatally botched mission) and what in places had a refreshing tinge of ambivalence (the argument about what to do with a captured enemy combatant), the film ends with the cheap pre-credits glorification of the soldiers involved. – SPOILER: With most of them, it’s impossible to avoid the not-insignificant feeling that we are supposed to consider them heroes simply because they didn’t die. END SPOILER – After All is Lost, where I was bothered by the lack of value added, I wouldn’t have expected that I would write this, but this time I would have preferred a pure survival flick without any information aimed at bringing depth to the story. 65% (08/01/2014)

Peter Berg knows how to shoot a proper action movie for men who leave their handkerchiefs at home and go watch a real shootout. However, in this movie, he portrayed one real story, which he filmed in an absolutely unlikely way. It is so unrealistic that it is striking even for me. And I’m usually not that hard to please. It’s unbelievable what the guys survived. The height from which they fell, the number of bullets they dodged and the number of bullets in their body with which they managed to hobble away. Incredible. Despite the fact that the whole way up the hill was stretched in a really stupid way. It’s a real pity that it was so stupid, because everything else was working. Including the amazing expressive music from Explosions in the Sky as well as the Navy Seals unit full of tough guys. (11/05/2014)

Say what you will, but that's the way it really is today, unfortunately. Two hours of pain that is palpable, both physically and mentally, which, with its riveting formal structure and surprisingly strong emotional impact, earned my warm sympathy and admiration. Only Spielberg's landing in Normandy and the action sequences in Coppola's Apocalypse Now have so far evoked such a realistic impression in me within the genre – naturalism almost free of the usual Hollywood clichés and that, although by the end I was feeling the compulsive need to hold a bag of popcorn in my hand, successfully suppresses commercial trappings in favour of authenticity and an extraordinary viewing experience. Moreover, it presents as great heroes ordinary Afghan civilians who have not forgotten to use their hearts and who don't give a damn about the Taliban. In short, Peter Berg has finally started to interest me properly, Mark Wahlberg has definitely become an excellent actor and I regret very much that I didn't catch this movie in the cinema, I would have added that fifth star otherwise. 85% (08/02/2014)

Berg serves us with cool action in another bungled Navy Seals raid in Afghanistan. Because it’s based on real events makes the movie that more powerful. Especially the number of hits the heroes take before they really expire. The fairly realistic treatment then slips into Bay-isms, but that doesn’t bother me so much, it’s just that Lone Survivor doesn’t turn out so naturalistic. The cast is excellent, especially Kitsch and Foster are outstanding. (14/01/2014)