12 Strong

12 Strong

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Pena, Navid Negahban

Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig

The Story:
Immediately after the terrorist attack on 9/11, Captain Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth) and his team travel to Uzbekistan, where they learn they'll be the first Special Forces team to head into Afghanistan and take the Taliban stronghold of Mazar-i-Sharif with the aid of General Abdul Rashid Dostum (Navid Negahban), the leader of the Northern Alliance and former warlord.  

When they arrive in Afghanistan, Nelson learns that he and his men must advance on horseback due to the treacherous terrain, something none of his men were prepared for.  Still, they mounted their horses and rode into battle against an unknown amount of Taliban soldiers with missiles, tanks, and heavy artillery, knowing they have to succeed, or else America would be attacked again.

The Synopsis:
After 9/11, there were several films released that detailed that tragic day in American history, most notably "World Trade Center" and "United 93."  Even though we as a people promised to "never forget," as the years have gone by, the impact of that monumental day had wained in public opinion, so much so that hardly anyone even remembers it on the day it happened.  The event itself has been overly politicized on both ends of the aisle so much that people have grown detached to the actual event, and whenever people hear 9/11, many of them groan in annoyance, thinking they're about to be emotionally manipulated to one side or the other.

Thankfully, "12 Strong" doesn't resonate with that same mentality.  While the film does center around 9/11, it's not about a political statement of the war, but instead tells a story that will go down in history as one of the biggest defeats Al-Qaeda ever faced.  Journalist Tom Brokaw called the brave soldiers of World War II as "The Greatest Generation," and fifty years from now, I wouldn't be surprised if another journalist called the brave soldiers who are fighting the war on terror an equally admirable title.  The events that led up to this particular skirmish was classified until recently, when journalist Doug Stanton wrote the book "Horse Soldiers" after interviewing Mark Nutsch, who Chris Hemsworth plays in the film.  Instead of focusing on the politics of war, director Nicolai Fuglsig showcases the comradere the soldiers had and takes us deep into the trenches with them as they battle insurmountable odds to claim victory.

That's not to say the script itself is very tight: in fact, it's quite loose when you take into account that the film is two hours and ten minutes, and you don't really learn any of the soldiers' names.  You see their faces and recognize the actors playing them, but the characters themselves are oddly paper-thin.  With the exception of Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Pena, the other actors are relegated to generic military jargon and general horseplay banter.  There's several scenes that seem repetitive, ones that could've been cut to make a more leaner runtime.

However, there's several positives that the film drives front and center.  The action sequences are intense and exciting, like you're in the middle of the warzone yourself.  As the heroes ride in on horseback - with visuals reminiscent of classic western films - they're met with automatic rifles, missiles, and tanks.  All around you bullets are flying, and Fuglsig does a great job of pulling you in.

When it comes to the actors, each one plays to his natural strengths.  Chris Hemsworth - Thor, as most people know him - is already a commanding presence and obvious leader.  Michael Shannon is a thoughtful, intelligent man and plays Chief Warrant Officer Cal Spencer with that same intelligence.  Michael Pena is a comedic actor, and brings humor to the darkest of situations.  "Homeland" star Navid Negahban plays Rasid Dostum perfectly, blending mystery and strength, making him a vital ally for the American soldiers.

The cinematography is beautiful, and it's a stark juxtaposition to see the natural beauty of the mountains with the unrelenting evil taking place on it.  The music score swells as you enter the battle, helping draw you in deeper.  The bombings are enormous and deafening, and the camerawork is unflinching and incredibly focused.  If the script was a little more tight and gave more development to the characters, it would've been a pitch-perfect modern war movie.

The Synopsis:
Foregoing politics for heroism, "12 Strong" shows the best in America's soldiers as twelve men rode on horseback to face the enemy head on, to protect our homeland and strike a deadly blow to America's enemy.

The Score: A-