Review: Lone Survivor

BY A.J. KURZMAN

Every now and then, a movie will come to the big screen and truly surprise you, engrossing you into the world it portrays.  Lone Survivor is one of those movies.  Based off the true events that took place during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan, Lone Survivor packs an unrelenting punch. Viewers not only witness this bloody massacre, but come out questioning their own ethics.

The story begins with the basic back-story of four Navy Seals living in Afghanistan: Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch), and Matt ‘Axe’ Axelson (Ben Foster).  The four are sent on a mission to eliminate notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd, who had been slaughtering Marines. Alone and without radio reception in the Afghan Mountains, they are discovered by three goat herders and forced to make a choice: kill them and finish the mission or let them go and have it be compromised.  Ultimately, they let the trio go and, in an attempt to retreat, were ambushed by the Taliban army.  What ensues is an epic struggle for survival and sacrifice.

Lone Survivor is one of the best war films since Saving Private Ryan. It not only makes a shocking impact, but also maintains this power for the duration of the film. At the end, audiences will walk away with a newfound appreciation for the army that fights every day for our freedom.

Although it was filled with numerous unforgettable moments, one stood out from the rest.  Not exactly the part you want to see, but absolutely the most heart-wrenching scene in the movie comes after the three Seals have endured a perilous tumble down the mountain in an effort to escape.  All four were separated and heavily wounded.  With their backs against the wall, extreme sacrifices and decisions have to be made, securing the Seals’ fate.

Truth be told, Lone Survivor may comes off a bit cheesy in trying to convey its message. However the movie as a whole is so powerful it will leave viewers with goose bumps.  It inspires extreme patriotism and allows its viewers to feel as though they were really part of the traumatic events of Operation Red Wings.