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Act of Valor(2012)

Movie1h 50mEnglishAction, Thriller, War

6.6

User Score

34%

Critic Score

Directors: Scott Waugh, Mike McCoy

Writer: Kurt Johnstad

Where to Watch

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Overview

After a covert rescue mission exposes a wider threat, an elite special-operations team races across multiple hotspots to prevent a major terrorist attack. The story follows their high-stakes missions, shifting locations, and the pressure of a ticking clock as they try to stop violence before it reaches home.

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Review Summary

Pros: intense combat set pieces; globe-trotting momentum; real-soldier authenticity | Cons: thin story; wooden acting; heavy-handed patriotism

Will You Like This?

You’ll likely enjoy this if you want straightforward, mission-focused action and lots of tactical combat in the vein of Rambo; not for you if you need deep characters, a strong story, or dislike overt patriotic messaging.

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Featured Comments/Tips

FinFan

Didn´t know what to expect of it at first but I really liked it. If they had used known actors people would have watched this mainly because of the names and not for the movie itself. and the level of authenticity wouldn´t be just not right. it would just have been another hollywood action movie. This is about the people. I think the camera work was awesome. it had a lot of really good shots and I don`t mean the ego-perspective. I enjoyed it, maybe those who don`t should wait for '"dredd'" - names, action and (maybe) a story just kidding, NOM

barrywhite123

the only thing I liked about this movie--'gt; the sound effects. pretty good. story,acting not worth to discuss

Zillah

Great movie using real ex-SEALs as the stars. I just wish our government wasn''t using our elite soldiers as their private assassination squad. Its shocking to learn that they are killing Americans overseas without any due process, the basis of our legal system. The collateral damage these operations and drone attacks almost always experience just makes more enemies for America, backfiring what they are trying to do. Watch Dirty Wars to learn more.

Dstewartseverns

I think this is one of the best movies ever made. It uses real Navy Seals and I think it made the movie more intense. It's a must see.

BourneRambler

_Act of Valor_ is a film that delivers a mixed bag of experiences. The movie features real-life Navy SEALs, which makes the action scenes even more intense and thrilling. The gun battles and action scenes are absolutely incredible and are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Although the drama scenes may not be the movie's strongest point, the film does an excellent job of showcasing the bravery and dedication of the Navy SEALs, making you appreciate their hard work and sacrifices. Overall, while _Act of Valor_ might not be perfect, it's still a thrilling and enjoyable watch that will leave you in awe of the heroic efforts of the SEALs.

Glifik

Spoilers

DEFINITELY ONE TO WATCH! Don't expect Oscar-awarding acting, however, do expect to watch at the time of filming active-duty US Navy SEALs use real, authentic tactics. The scenarios in the pipeline is slightly sped up compared to real world operators - not all Special Operations Forces units flying back and forth within a couple of days doing one mission after the other. Also, the movie takes into account some previous real-life events, such as [spoiler]Rorke jumping on the grenade to save his teammates, which is an homage to Michael Monsoor, who did the same in Ramadi, Iraq for his teammates on a rooftop - There is definitely always someone cutting onions during that scene around me.[/spoiler] Also, they use a real [spoiler]attack-sub for one of the scenes, as well as active-duty SWCC personnel and live ammunition for the SWCC HOT EXTRACT, after rescuing Morales for a better effect.[/spoiler]

ViperDu'Vark

Don't believe the bad reviews about this film. Act of Valor is an excellent movie through and through. I do agree with most of the other reviewers that the acting does suck most of the time, but you have to remember and keep in mind that these "actors" are real Navy SEALS. They didn't go and get an acting career. They joined the military. If you peel away the acting you are going to get a decent story and some of the best non-CGI action scenes. I haven't seen any non-CGI action scenes better than this; it was great and felt real. The action scenes were top-notch. On top of all that... Yes, this film was pretty much a feature length long recruitment video; but nonetheless, it was really entertaining.

chronic

wasn''t what i was expecting tbh so didn''t meet my expectations 'amp; the obvious point of the actors not being actors is very noticeable but having said that most of the movie is action or similar so that helps.

lowfi

It is like a shoot m up game. Didnt like it... Bad acting Very predictable etc

BenFranklin

'"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion;respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.'" ---Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee (March 1768 – October 5, 1813)

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Featured User Reviews

yngtadpole

10/10

Spoilers

Honestly there are few movies that center around military realism. American Sniper, 13 Hours, Black Hawk Down, Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers- the primary difference between those movies and this one- is that all the "acting" is not acting- it's the real deal. These aren't actors reloading, jumping out of airplanes in HALO jumps, fast roping off helicopters, clearing rooms, breaking the water of the river, and establishing 360 degree security, these are former Navy SEALS. Their body language, the way they walk, and carry themselves ooze realism. That's why I love this movie more than any in this genre. The gear, the tactics, the vehicles, the explosions, tracer effects, and use of lasers and NVG's were no better than any of the aforementioned movies. The key difference is who was "playing" the characters. A lot of people complain that the story and acting wasn't great but they're looking at from the wrong perspective. If you've ever met special forces- they're generally a low-key bunch (Unlike Black Hawk Down for example). Veterans aren't the Steven Seagull, Clint Eastwood's, or Charlie Sheen's of the world. Nine times out of ten those people are fakes. Real professionals have nothing to prove- and prefer to stay out of the spotlight (except when it comes to inter-service competitiveness) especially once they're out of the service. About the only thing criticism, I would say is the comedy and brotherly camaraderie were a bit understated and could've been more rowdy and less politically correct. However, obviously expecting them to say lines and not act a bit rehearsed and expecting Tom Hanks level of performance is asking a bit much. What this movie aims at and succeeds at is portraying what the Navy SEALs typically do on a developing series of missions. Think Modern Warfare 2 or Rainbow Six Las Vegas. The movie is portraying a tiny portion of the actual experience- the downtime, the traveling, or the lack of sleep are all glossed over to point out the ACTS OF VALOR that they have shown since 9/11 on the Global War on Terror. There doesn't need to be a cliche love story, nor memorable one liners. It's about the mission and what they do. The authenticity and realism is what makes this movie so enjoyable. Of course I can't really tell people how to enjoy movies- but that's why I enjoyed it. My favorite parts of the movie were [spoiler]when he was leaving his wife and subsequent funeral and when the Swift Boats came in for a hot extract. As a former 240 gunner there's nothing sexier then watching 6 machines guns laying down a suppression of fire so devastating and destructive it basically melted a car into shred in seconds and kept over 15-20 armed aggressors from even attempting to shoot back for a good minute (which in combat is a LONG time). Besides that watching the tenderness and the attempt to be strong for each other while really not being that strong was a really touching scene.[/spoiler]

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