Before I say something about the movie let me start by saying I am neither questioning the message nor the motive. I am well aware of the BS that is happening it parts of the world. But there were some things I didn't like in this movie. I've watched the Directors Cut this time which runs about 20 mins longer. I had seen the theatrical version before but it was long ago and I can't regognize what was added. Although I have an idea about which scenes.
It is a good, indeed a very good, action/war movie. But it tries to hard to sell the message. It uses clichèd characters - the hard nosed soldier who knows only duty and orders, the young and beautiful humanitarian doctor who needs to be rescued. It is predictable from start to finish. Every character does what you expect him/her to do. They say exactly what they have to say at every point in the story. It's ticking of all the nessessary boxes at the right time. And then there is the logical back breaker of the movie for me. Let me explain.
[spoiler] The SEALs are flying into Nigeria through Cameroon and are parachuting in the middle of the night about 7 miles away from the misson. All fine and well here. Then they have to travel 12 clicks to their LZ. Again, fine and well. Here comes the flaw. After being lift of by the helicopters they fly straight back over the mission, in bright daylight, to witness the atrocities commited. Now why would they do that ? If it was possible to fly there, then why not do so in the first place ? Why fly back there at all and not back again over Cameroon ? This is the essential moment of the movie and the turning point for Waters. And it is highly illogical and constructed only to move the story along. There were some other minor things that didn't add up but that was the worst one. If you take into further consideration that all of this only comes to fruition because of the irritating and constantly complaning of the one they were supposed to rescue, while at the same time not being completely honest herself, it makes you wonder why Waters not just knocked her out cold and got out. [/spoiler]
It tarnishes an otherwise really good movie that doesn't shy away from looking where others don't want to look. The action sequences are very good, the final battle is intense. The ending is emotinal but overall I couldn't overcome the errors in the story.

**_Solemn life-or-death jungle mission is one-note, but worthwhile for a few reasons_**

A squadron of Navy Seals led by Lt. Waters (Bruce Willis) are ordered to Nigeria to remove a beautiful American doctor (Monica Belucci) from a Christian village before Islamic militants move in and annihilate 'em all. The Doctor insists that "her people" go with them and so Waters opts for leading 'em out on foot to the Cameroon border. Will they make it out alive?

"Tears of the Sun" (2003) has an ultra-serious vibe and _some_ depth. If you appreciate "The 7th Dawn" (1964) with William Holden and Capucine, this is cut from the same cloth, just with modern production quality and more focus on grim jungle drama & action, like "Rambo" (2008). While it's arguably on par with "The 7th Dawn," it doesn't stand with the giants of the genre, such as "Apocalypse Now" (1979) or "Platoon" (1986).

For one thing, the characters outside of those played by Willis and Belucci are relatively forgettable, which isn't the case with "Apocalypse Now" and "Platoon" wherein you know and remember the bulk of the key characters. Another good example would be "Last Of The Mohicans" (1992), which has a similar tone and theme, i.e. protagonists being chased through the forest by savage antagonists.

The issue I have with "Tears of the Sun" is that it jumps right into the thick of the jungle story without allowing the viewer to get to know anyone. The theme is heavy and the vibe is fittingly serious, including the score, but because we aren't emotionally tied to the characters the picture comes across too heavy-handed and melodramatic. It doesn't help that it's one-dimensional.

Meanwhile the 2-hour movie is fairly slow moving with the big-action sequence not taking place until the finale. The problem with this "exciting" climax is that the viewer, once again, doesn't care what happens at this point because we don't really know the characters and therefore have little emotional attachment.

Although the story takes place in Nigeria the picture was obviously shot in Hawaii. The difference in geography is enough that the film loses points for realism, but who can deny the beauty of Hawaii? So maybe it gains the points back.

The Director's Cut merely adds the deleted scenes from the Special Edition DVD to the film. In other words, unless you absolutely love the flick it's not necessary to buy the Director's Cut; just watch the deleted scenes. Speaking of the deleted scenes, there's one quietly potent scene where a black American talks with a black Nigerian. It has good dialogue and should've never been cut.

Yet "Tears of the Sun" has some attributes, including the ultra-serious vibe, cinematography, score and Monica Belucci. The harrowing sequence where the squadron saves a rural village from some ruthless militants is well done. But this is far from a good film IMHO; at the same time, it's not bad and has its points of interest. Check out "Rambo" (2008) if you want to see the same theme done in a more effective manner.

GRADE: B-/C+