What defines a hero? For most, a crime-fighting super hero with a flowing cape and brightly colored tights comes to mind. Sure, super speed and the power to levitate are among the most desired traits when it comes to superpowers; however, what if the real heroes are not found on the pages of a comic book or in Gotham City? What if they were just ordinary people with an extraordinary job and an immense amount of courage and bravery? From the minds of directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh comes Act of Valor, a war movie featuring just an average, everyday covert operation for a group of valiant Navy SEALs. When it comes to super heroes, these guys are the real thing.
Lt. Rourke is among a group of SEALs about to be sent on a dangerous mission overseas. Before they deploy, a group of them gather on the beach for a campfire and one last hoorah before they must leave their families behind. This proves difficult for Rourke; for he and his wife are expecting their first child. As he promises his wife that he will be safe and home soon, viewers are almost brought to tears at the mere thought of parting with their spouse, never mind missing the birth of one’s first child. Nevertheless, Rourke leaves along with several other SEALs in the Bandito Platoon.
Released on February 24, 2012, Act of Valor offers viewers a peek into the fast-paced, drama-infused world of action that a U.S. Navy SEAL experiences every time they are deployed. The film follows a group of active duty Navy SEALs as they complete a risky covert operation to rescue a kidnapped CIA agent from the clutches of a highly unpredictable terrorist force that has threatened the safety of the United States. This movie is not a documentary; on the contrary, it is a fictional story inspired by real-life covert operations and challenges of a physically and mentally demanding occupation such as this. Complete with car chases, explosions, and ruthless villains, the SEALs seem more like spies than military personnel.
The mission sends the team on a wild goose chase to thwart the plans of elusive terrorists Cristo and Shabal—two extremely intelligent but highly dangerous villains collaborating together in order to completely ruin the U.S as well as its citizens’ sense of security. To do this, they plan on dispersing suicide bombers throughout the United States in hopes of causing such a panic that leaves the United States looking powerless and vulnerable, which will identify the country as inferior to all others. After clues about the terrorists’ whereabouts are uncovered piece by piece, the SEALs are sent to all corners of the world—including Ukraine, Somalia, Mexico, and the Philippines—to save the U.S. from an attack unlike any other it has experienced before.
As if the drama-laden plot does not captivate the audience enough, the many risks the team takes in order to ensure the safety of the United States keeps viewers on the edge of their seat and marveling at the seemingly endless supply of bravery and resilience the SEALs possess. Unlike most other war movies, Act of Valor is simply unique because it focuses on a branch of the military that few people are familiar with, resulting in a newfound appreciation for the men and women who sacrifice their lives daily in a way that varies greatly from those who do the same on the battlefront or as an Air Force member. Finally, a war movie with substance that deftly combines the perfect amount of both drama and suspense.
More intense than any scene before it, the ending proves to be the highlight of the movie. Within mere yards of the enemy, the SEALs must capture Shabal and defeat his team of gunmen, all the while avoiding the suicide bombers, who are equipped with their own explosives and are ordered to set them off the second they come into contact with a U.S. troop. In this battle scene, Rourke is faced with a decision that will either define him as a true hero or a coward. The dangers the group faces in the film are far beyond any stretch of the imagination, and the film allows us to appreciate the sacrifices these brave soldiers make for us everyday.
Act of Valor’s only downfall was the acting. Because almost every one of the main characters is played by a real Navy SEAL, the dialogue between any two of them was lackluster and mediocre. For instance, the conversations and random comments between Lt. Rourke and Dave lack emotion and is a minor let down when compared to the breathtaking action scenes and above-par cinematography. Also, Dave’s random comments of reassurance to Rourke about how he’s “gonna be a great dad!” are out of place, sounding both unnatural and rehearsed—almost as if they were thrown into the film just to evoke emotions of sympathy and make the movie even more of a tear-jerker. Yet, despite the bad acting, one must remember that the stars of the film are not actors, and they are sent on a fake covert operation in which they must pretend their lives are in danger—a task that must be difficult, seeing as though they are being asked to relive dangerous missions they have previously embarked on in real life while on a movie set where the threat of real terrorism is not there.
Focused on a topic that is generally considered off-limits to most Americans, Act of Valor is a cinema masterpiece that pays our servicemen and servicewomen the thanks and respect they deserve for having to deal with threats of terrorism. A topic few are eager to discuss, terrorism has often been omitted from the media—especially movies—as a result of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. only ten years ago. However, Act of Valor takes advantage of the issue by fabricating a realistic plot that allows the general public to witness not the destruction of terrorism, but the sheer power and bravery of the United States Military, which is committed to protecting American citizens against all odds.
A story of courage, resilience, and dedication to one’s country, Act of Valor is a movie packed with action, drama, and “James Bond-esque” missions that are sure to leave viewers speechless. It creates a newfound appreciation for the military and its personnel who strive everyday to help preserve the country’s honor and safety. So forget the cape, catch phrases, and underrated sidekicks. The real heroes do not have x-ray vision or the power to become invisible at the drop of a hat. Instead, as captured in each scene in Act of Valor, a true hero is characterized by his bravery, values, and love for his country.
