Director: Peter Berg

Writer: Peter Berg (Screenplay) Marcus Luttrell, Patrick Robinson (Books)

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Yousuf Azami, Ali Suliman, Eric Bana, Alexander Ludwig

 

Plot: Marcus Luttrell and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Non-Stop Confusion

 

Story: Lone Survivor starts with the information given to a four-man team Marcus (Wahlberg), Michael (Kitsch), Danny (Hirsch) and Matt (Foster) a special forces team going on a mission in Afghanistan. When the mission becomes compromised the four men must turn to the superiors for support but with no communication they have to make the decision themselves.

The four find themselves stranded on the top of a mountain range with countless enemies coming up the mountain to kill them as they have to wait for supporting in a conflict that will continue for days.

Lone Survivor is one of those war films based on a true story, I accept this is one that you would have to accept for what it is. I did find the action sequence confusing which doesn’t help as it is important. We have to take most of the story under the opinion of the lone survivor as there is no way he knows the true outcome of the rest of his unit. When it comes to true stories we have to decide ow much we want to believe but it does show how brave the soldiers had to be.

 

Actor Review

 

Mark Wahlberg: Marcus Luttrell is the second in command, I think we never really get told his role in the unit, he is the lone survivor who has to work with the village people to complete the mission. Mark really struggles in this role looking completely out of place.

 

Taylor Kitsch: Michael Murphy is the leader of the unit with a huge reputation behind him, he has to make the final decision on the big calls including how to deal with the town’s people they come across and calling for support. He will put his life before the rest of his men. Taylor shows he is a good actor with this performance and someone to watch out for in the future.

 

Emile Hirsch: Danny Dietz is the communication specialist on the mission, he is always trying to prove h is a better athlete compared to Murphy but it is all banter between the unit. Emile gives us a good performance showing he is growing up in his performances.

 

Ben Foster: Matt Axelson is the man tasked with scouting the area and finding the best location for anything to take place, he has the plan ready but they never knew about one man and his goats. Ben gives us a good performance continuing to show his versatile ability as an actor.

 

Support Cast: Lone Survivor has a supporting cast that includes fellow soldiers from both sides of the battle.

 

Director Review: Peter Berg – Peter gives us a good true story even if it has moments that come off confusing during the action.

 

Action: Lone Survivor has war time action that all works but it can be hard to work out who is who during the battles.

Biographical: Lone Survivor tells the story of the only survivor of a mission during the war well enough.

Thriller: Lone Survivor really is non-stop once it starts off which I did find the highlight of the film.

War: Lone Survivor uses the war element but only one mission going on during the war.

Settings: Lone Survivor puts our soldiers into a situation where they have no escape from.
Special Effects: Lone Survivor has good effects used for the injuries suffered to the soldiers.

Suggestion: Lone Survivor is one to try for the fans of war films this will be one to enjoy. (Try it)

 

Best Part: Taylor, Ben and Emile shine in their roles.

Worst Part: Wahlberg struggles to look the part.

 

Believability: It is based on a true story.

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: Nominated for 2 Oscars

Box Office: $125 Million

Budget: $40 Million

Runtime: 2 Hours 1 Minute

Tagline: Vive para contar la historia (Live to tell the story)

 

Overall: Good true story that is difficult to follow through the conflict.

Rating