12 Strong (2018)

the audience applauded

Just perfect...

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Read the book and don't waste your time. The men that were the 12 Strong are done an injustice by the writers and director who destroyed the story (no pun intended). This story doesn't need Hollywood's rewriting of events. The real true story is more heroic and almost unbelievable. As they say, "You can't make this stuff up" but Hollywood dopes seem to think they have to try and spice up stories that don't need it because they are so dang arrogant and pretentious. If you read the book, don't bother with this one. Hollywood blows it again. Very Disappointed.

If you leave aside politics, this movie is quite decent, entertaining and deserves the rating it currently has (6.6 out of 10.)However, if you keep in mind the political context ("war" against terrorism, need to justify 2300+ deaths of american soldiers, 20k+ wounded soldiers, 2.1 trillions USD spent on this war, racism that is increasing in the US, the need to "make America great again", the need to recruit soldiers, and difficulties to do it) you must admit that the way this movie narrates this part of history is pure propaganda. Don't be fooled, this movie is an excellent example of how entertainment can be used to brainwash the population of a country. US people need strong and invincible heroes and need to see their soldiers come back from hell unharmed. This will allow the army to recruit new soldiers, justify past, current political decisions and futures ones.If you don't agree with this opinion, fine. But then tell me why they choose to have a black actor and a hispanic one to play ODA 595 soldiers. At the end of the movie there is a picture of the 12 soldiers, and guess what, they are all white guys.Manipulating history in such a way is disgusting IMHO. You should be aware of this while watching this movie.

The movie has some good actors, which help you get through the end of it without quiting to watch until the very predictable end. The story is nothing special, or interesting. I dont recommend it.

I was interested in the significance of the movie 12 Strong brave men and their story. Next to other war movies, Saving Private Ryan, Hurt Locker, Bravo Two Zero etc., this movie appeared too Hollywood'ish, I found myself looking away from the movie to do other things, it was just okay.