12 Strong (2018)

Director: Nicolai Fuglsig

Cast:

Chris Hemsworth – Captain Mitch Nelson

Michael Shannon – Hal Spencer

Michael Pena – Sam Diller

Trevante Rhodes – Ben Milo

Summary:

“12 Strong” is the true story of the ‘Horse Soldiers’ and stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Pena. After the attacks on the Twin Towers, twelve soldiers led by Captain Mitch Nelson (Hemsworth) volunteered to fight back against the Taliban. But just like our forefathers, these 12 men blazed through the Afghanistan desert on horses gunning down the Taliban. The performances from the cast were good with the strongest support coming from the cast as a whole. Hemsworth and Shannon play well off of each other and Pena and Hemsworth exhibited tension with one another but was resolved in the end with no effort put forth. The action scenes were handled well by Nicolai Fuglsig and the relationship between Nelson and the Northern Alliance General was great as it elaborated our cultural differences and similarities. “12 Strong” is a solid war film that honors the 12 men who were brave enough to fight for our country in a time of darkness.

Score: 3.4/5

Hacksaw Ridge(2016)

Director: Mel Gibson

Cast:

Andrew Garfield – Desmond Doss

Hugo Weaving – Tom Doss

Teresa Palmer – Dorothy Schutte

Luke Bracey – Smitty

Vince Vaughn – Sgt. Howell

Sam Worthington – Captain Glover

Verdict:

“Hacksaw Ridge” is directed by Mel Gibson and stars Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss, a

conscientious objector who enlisted in WWII without carrying a firearm and saved over 70

men in the process. This movie was incredible as the actors and director brought their

A-game. Andrew Garfield gives an Oscar performance as he nailed the accent down and

his subtle performance was evocative. His character has a code that he will not touch a gun

and his comrades find this to be an act of cowardice and the brutality put forth on him by

them made me feel outraged and he doesn’t let that stop him from what he believes in.

Hugo Weaving plays his father and he gave a heartfelt performance as he doesn’t want to

see his son make the same choice of going to war as he did. Teresa Palmer was good as the

love interest and she helped anchor Garfield’s character. Vince Vaughn was great as the

drill sergeant as he brought the humor, but it wasn’t your typical Vince Vaughn humor.

Luke Bracey was incredible as Smitty, a bull-headed army recruit who butts heads with

Garfield and his chemistry with Garfield was great. This movie has a perfect three act

structure as it sets up our character, shows the incredibly violent war and then finally

shows our hero’s actions take off. Mel Gibson really brought it with his violent direction of

war and the cinematography was vivid and life-like. “Hacksaw Ridge” is an incredible true

story of a man who stuck to his morals even when pushed to his breaking point.

Grade: A+