Read Mixed User Reviews for Lone Survivor

6

LynNov 22, 2014

I'm surprised at the reviews calling the film "too patriotic" or even "jingoistic." I found it to be well-acted and notably lacking in what some might call flag-waving or in politics of any sort. These guys are heroic to be true to themselvesI'm surprised at the reviews calling the film "too patriotic" or even "jingoistic." I found it to be well-acted and notably lacking in what some might call flag-waving or in politics of any sort. These guys are heroic to be true to themselves and strong for their "brothers." They don't care who's president or defense secretary. Unfortunately, the script and film are NOT lacking in cliches. You've seen 'em all and will see them again. It also does a poor job of helping us establish emotional connections with the men who (obviously) are going to lose their lives. Violence of all sorts is extremely brutal and I had to look away at times ... but that's one of the points of a fact-based war movie, right -- that those who lived it did not have the option to look away?… Expand

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6

netflicJan 13, 2014

This movie is based on real events in 2005 in Afghanistan and on a book with the same name written by a Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell who was the only survivor in a battle with Taliban.

Combat scenes are done exceptionally well. There is realThis movie is based on real events in 2005 in Afghanistan and on a book with the same name written by a Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell who was the only survivor in a battle with Taliban.

Combat scenes are done exceptionally well. There is real footage in the beginning of the movie of some training that SEALs have to go through. And pictures of fallen soldiers and officers who lost their lives in that fight were shown at the end of the movie. All that adds to the authenticity of it. In those pictures soldiers were surrounded with their families. That makes you think of the utmost sacrifice of those men and the horrible loss their families endured.

As a piece of art this movie did not engage me with exception of the very last part.
But as a tribute to soldiers who risk their lives to protect our freedom this movie is great.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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4

RadarE33Jan 22, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A film that, while having decent action scenes, is ultimately less than average. What brings this film down is not the gun battles or the ham-fisted patriotism, no no. It's the logic and the script: they are horrible to say the least. The dialogue isn't bad--in fact the characterization is great, with the leads and supporting cast all feeling like real people. The issue is, no thought went into making this script, or the logic, make any kind of sense. The scene that likely drew people to the theaters (where the operation to kill a Taliban leader is compromised by non-combatants) was poorly thought out. Unless this is a case of actual human beings being this stupid (this is based on a true story after all), the writers have made a scenario where US Marines were unable to use their heads and MARCH the compromises up the hill with them to the extraction zone, and THEN cut them loose. instead, they argue about whether to shoot the civies, tie them up and leave them to die, or cut them loose right then and there.

Now, you probably aren't a writer... or a soldier. But seriously,yhis shouldn't be too hard to problem solve...

Another issue was the other US forces that were dropped in the immediate area; when the shooting between Wallberg's group and the Taliban started, where the hell where they? Did they not hear all the AK-47 fire and RPG's going off? Or did they decide to hightail it out of there when the **** hit the fan? The film also goes into ridiculous territory when it decides to exceed "soldiers being injured and shot" and goes into "Watch us throw these idiots off a cliff. Twice. Oh, and they don't die. MARINES ****

In the end, this film does not invoke a sense of empathy and pity for the US Marines who faced this situation; I'm gonna go on a limb and say that the actual Marines they based the characters off of were not this stupid. The Marines in this film are portrayed as one thing only: Idiots. They could have used their heads and extracted with no casualties, but instead allowed the "compromise" of their operation to bolt down the mountain and warn the Taliban that there were Marines up there. Thanks to the two idiots in charge (the ones who advocated letting them go), the two soldiers just following orders died as a result. One of the two aforementioned idiots was also gunned down, a Chinook helicopter a full of US soldiers (15-20 i think) was shot down by an RPG, and a whole village of innocent civilians was nearly wiped out when the Taliban came to kill the Last Idiot.

That's what the film really should have been called: "Last Idiot Standing." Had the morons in charge used their heads, the lives of 50+ people wouldn't have been screwed up or destroyed that day. Any inspirational message this film tries to convey is drowned out in the sea of stupid that is this script. Up to you if you wanna watch, but I say "Avoid".… Expand

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6

ANewKillerStarOct 1, 2014

Sadly, the director has created a hagiographic film that gives little attention to the more interesting aspects of the story. When will Americans stop ramming the bravery and American-ness of their armed forces, especially the specialSadly, the director has created a hagiographic film that gives little attention to the more interesting aspects of the story. When will Americans stop ramming the bravery and American-ness of their armed forces, especially the special forces, down our throats? It really lets the film down as it pushes everything else into the background. Chalk this one up to another Peter Berg miss.… Expand

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6

kevinluvJan 23, 2014

A Navy SEAL team assassination mission in Afghanistan goes wrong. Those things are going to happen; it's all part and parcel of these types of tricky operations. While America isn't known as a country that celebrates failure, it doesA Navy SEAL team assassination mission in Afghanistan goes wrong. Those things are going to happen; it's all part and parcel of these types of tricky operations. While America isn't known as a country that celebrates failure, it does however celebrate courage and valor and that is what the movie is mainly about along with trying to do the right thing under trying circumstances.
For what it is, the movie works, war is hell, people die.… Expand

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5

SpangleJun 16, 2015

Lone Survivor is, well, a war film. It may be based on a true story, but it really does not re-invent the wheel in any way and operates as many war films before it have operated. It is never truly profound and the action becomes numbing afterLone Survivor is, well, a war film. It may be based on a true story, but it really does not re-invent the wheel in any way and operates as many war films before it have operated. It is never truly profound and the action becomes numbing after a certain point. Luckily, the action and fighting scenes (i.e. the whole thing) are quite exciting and make for some great entertainment. They can be quite gory and graphic, which is a turn off for me, even though this is a war film. I am not a huge fan of gore and this one is a prime example of why. Really, the sequence that saved this film was the last half hour. Typically, Arabs in these types of films are portrayed as being vile, lifeless, soulless monsters. This one does not do that and instead shows that, yes, there are real human beings with feelings out there too. Shockingly, this is not that common in American propaganda films such as this. Overall, decent propaganda and a decent film that gets saved by not going entirely racist. Odd world we live in.… Expand

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6

NightReviewsFeb 13, 2014

The war film genre is one where the sensationalisation of the gains and losses on the battlefield and highly fictionalized moments drenched with brotherhood, duty, and honour, are what differentiate it from other film genres. Sadly, LoneThe war film genre is one where the sensationalisation of the gains and losses on the battlefield and highly fictionalized moments drenched with brotherhood, duty, and honour, are what differentiate it from other film genres. Sadly, Lone Survivor is no different from the many other war films that have come before it. Despite its lack of originality in a genre that has, for the most part, run out of ammo in the originality department, one of the advantages that the film has compared to more recognizable battles of the past, is the obscurity of Operation Red Wings (the mission the film is based on) and the lack of mystery as to who lives and who dies.

Lone Survivor tells the story of Operation Red Wings, an American search-and-destroy mission in Afghanistan, and focuses on the four men sent in to do the job. Giving a little insight into the lives of Petty Officer Second Class Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch), Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Axelson (Ben Foster), Lieutenant Micahel Murphy (Kitsch), and Petty Officer First Class Marcus Luttrell (Wahlberg), the film is a comical and brutal account of the ethical decision-making on the battlefield and the impact of certain ‘rules of engagement’. Within the war film genre, death is inevitable and thanks to its spoiler-laden title, audiences already know that only one of the four main protagonists actually comes away with his life. However, by taking the focus away from the mystery of who lives and who dies, the film is able to quickly establish heartfelt connections and deliver a deeply emotional response, even if the roles are played by not so emotionally impacting actors like Taylor Kitsch and Mark Wahlberg.

As the opening monologue of the film echoes in its first few minutes, “There’s a storm inside all of us; a burden, a river, a drive, an unrelentless desire to push yourself harder and further than anyone can think possible”. This storm, this drive, is one that can be appreciated through the growing body of work of writer/director Pete Berg. Berg has made a career as Hollywood’s go-to director for entrusting soaring production budgets and seasoned action stars, while confidently obtaining a great box-office return, despite dismal or mixed reviews. From Friday Night Lights and Battleship, to the out of nowhere mega-blockbuster Hancock, Berg has been fortunate with large scale budgets and generous star power behind his films. Spanning the course of five years, Lone Survivor is Berg’s passion project. Working for the Director Guild of America with minimum salary, Berg was instantly drawn to the memoir of Marcus Luttrell during the production on Hancock. After proposing the film to Universal studios, and getting stars Wahlberg and Kitsch at a discounted rate, the funding for his film was the only reason Berg actually agreed to make Battleship.

The film is being hailed as an authentic representation of the encounters many US Armed Force Officers are faced with. Although at times repetitive, the film is a bustling, hard-boiled piece of the American military life and a look into the lives of these triumphant men and women. Filled with moments that will have you clenching your fists and lifting yourself off the seat, Lone Survivor is a true testament of the artful representation of violence–proving that in Berg’s book, moderation is definitely for cowards.

Much like the highly overrated Captain Phillips released earlier in the awards season, the film really does not shed much light or give any insight to the antagonists of the film–the Taliban. Pursing Operation Red Wings for the sheer fact that their target is notorious for killing off Navy SEAL’s, the four men are tested; mind, body, and soul through a perilous journey where their actions dictate the consequences of their future. Other than a scene involving a decapitation of one member of the Taliban as a supposed traitor, the film’s first half shows the target Shah (Yousuf Azami) and his heartless second-in-command Taraq (Sammy Sheik) as diabolical animals. It isn’t until we reach the last part of the film where the true nature and over-embellished actions of the Afghani people are accurately depicted.

Despite the celebrity status of the four leading men, the real stand out is the always camouflaged Ben Foster. Taking queues from his career best The Messenger back in 2009, Foster brings a vulnerability to his role as Petty Officer Axel, one that quickly outshines his male cohorts. Foster’s interpretation of inevitable death and the persistence to keep fighting for his country, is one that out-guns anyone else in Lone Survivor.… Expand

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5

GundamMarsApr 2, 2014

This movie is average at best. The title and the way it started let me know how this is gonna play out thus making me not care for characters outside of Marky Mark. The way the characters act are typical for a modern war movie. You have yourThis movie is average at best. The title and the way it started let me know how this is gonna play out thus making me not care for characters outside of Marky Mark. The way the characters act are typical for a modern war movie. You have your everyman, leader, tech-guy, trigger happy guy and it's the trigger happy guy I found myself agreeing with the most. He wants to kill 3 people cause he knows they'll tell the Taliban in the area their whereabouts. If they had done that they would have avoided their real fate. If this movie taught me anything it's that the Geneva Convention is out dated and doesn't apply to war in the 21st century. The action is good, realistic and will make you cringe at some points, but the story is cliche' and honestly a little dull. It's okay at best but it won't make much of an impression on you.… Expand

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5

Prodigy2013Jan 19, 2014

Peter Berg is no stranger to directing tense action sequences, but when it comes to story and characters, he's lost in the fray. 'Lone Survivor' is an Afghanistan-set war film about a special-ops mission, that goes horribly wrong, and itPeter Berg is no stranger to directing tense action sequences, but when it comes to story and characters, he's lost in the fray. 'Lone Survivor' is an Afghanistan-set war film about a special-ops mission, that goes horribly wrong, and it features one of the years finest sound mixes and some gritty scene to get the blood pumping. Where I can give the film applause for these visceral technical aspects, I can't give such praise to the things that matters most. Its funny that a movie so firmly built on comradery, features a hokey group dynamic between these imperiled soldiers. Everything in this relationship felt cliched; without being true and moving. Undeveloped characterizations was the blame for this; but what would you expect when the movie cares more about thrilling audiences with action sequences rather than moving them with depth. I also took issue with the film's heavy-handed delivery of its message of patriotism and courage; and how it paints its Middle Eastern villains with limited shades. They are simply relegated to being "the bad guys". In the end 'Lone Survivor' was a feast for the eye and ears, but has little to offer for the brain.… Expand

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6

MagicManRAWJun 30, 2014

I was very surprised that I liked this movie as much as I did. For what it is, it is very enjoyable. There is not much of a story, but they did try. I do not think they had all that much to work with.

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5

RReinhardtFeb 24, 2014

Although the battle scenes are incredibly intense, there are some serious flaws in this movie that ultimately disappoint. Firstly, if you read the book, you will be disappointed that the protagonists experience is seriously abridged, with aAlthough the battle scenes are incredibly intense, there are some serious flaws in this movie that ultimately disappoint. Firstly, if you read the book, you will be disappointed that the protagonists experience is seriously abridged, with a considerable amount of incredible hardship and storyline omitted. Secondly, the film begins in a cliched almost fawning way, with the (what seems now standard) portrayal of Seals as warm hearted,, cuddly, lovely guys who are just doing a job. Whether it's true or not, this seems to be the standard way such movies start these days, with a kind of implication that special forces soldiers are societies moral exemplars, and it's getting really boring. Thirdly, the ending is the standard "cavalry arrives in a nick of time" conclusion that is very disappointing and cliched, and had nothing to do with the book. I don't believe the protagonist died and was revived in real life either. And it's a shame that the movie excluded Lutrell's glowing account and recommendation of the use of raw opium as an analgesic.… Expand

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5

talonps1May 24, 2014

I was mildly entertained by this movie. Another movie called Murph came out prior to this being movie being released to rent which showed who Murph was...and I have to say, that one was far better. Look, I'm not going play down a movieI was mildly entertained by this movie. Another movie called Murph came out prior to this being movie being released to rent which showed who Murph was...and I have to say, that one was far better. Look, I'm not going play down a movie showing heroic men acting heroic in a situation I couldn't even fathom being in and I do like Mark Walhberg's movies but this one left me glancing at my watch. To the brave men and women who put their lives on the line, I will always give kudos but I felt this rendition of the story was disjointed and lukewarm.… Expand

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5

tvhandyAug 26, 2014

Lone Survivor is another war porn film of brotherhood and the sacrifices our soldiers make during war. Entertaining, but no man could have survived how many times they jumped off cliffs and lived.

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6

WJSNov 8, 2014

This movie is what my sister and her girlfriends would call a “Dick Flick”, which is, of course, a play on the term “Chick Flick”. It oozes so much testosterone that is literally drips off of the screen. I have never been a fan of war movies,This movie is what my sister and her girlfriends would call a “Dick Flick”, which is, of course, a play on the term “Chick Flick”. It oozes so much testosterone that is literally drips off of the screen. I have never been a fan of war movies, especially American ones. In fact the last American war film I actually appreciated was “The Hurt Locker”, which was much better directed than this blood bath. I mean, this film is well acted and the photography is wonderful, but the direction is not up to great standards and the script is kind of uneven and lacks a sense of humor which a film like this really does need. The film works best when it briefly explores the relationship between Wahlberg and some villagers.… Expand

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4

shag00Jul 3, 2019

This could well be a super hero movie as the punishment these guys take is certainly more than mere humans. We start the movie with the now standard sentimental BS as a time filler before the also now obligatory moral decision which theyThis could well be a super hero movie as the punishment these guys take is certainly more than mere humans. We start the movie with the now standard sentimental BS as a time filler before the also now obligatory moral decision which they make, which also gets them killed. When the action starts we see 9 shots absorbed by the heroes which inexplicably does not prevent them from running away to jump off a small cliff. So after bouncing down this cliff and hill strewn with large boulders they all have their guns and run off again, how no one broke a bone or many bones is certainly a miracle. Now with savvy directing we find they are now pace to face with their pursuers who no doubt had a elevator installed to descend to the heroes new level, they also are uninjured.

Moving on, only 1 hero left and he is taken in by some local good guys, they dump him in a room and pretty much leave him. Fortunately the local good guys realise our hero is super human therefore not in need of medical attention despite enough injuries to kill a dozen men. Truly astounding! To make the movie really realistic they do have "red mist" bullet hits, no doubt to keep the young boys hard.… Expand

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