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12 STRONG | FILM REVIEW
**
Dir: Nicolai Fuglsig
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Pena
(15, 2hrs 10mins)
The United States military is rattled by the catastrophic event that was 9/11, in this jingoistic war film following the ‘based on true events’ story of 12 soldiers that made it their mission to work with an Afghan warlord to fight the Taliban on their home soil.
Despite the ‘declassified real events’ nature of the film, suggesting a more grounded and character-based story, 12 Strong finds itself trying to be two different types of war film. Director Nicolai Fuglsig seems to be unsure as to the tone of the story he is telling, one-part brutal, harsh realities of war – another part that might as well have explosions in red, white and blue. This takes its toll on the characters most of all, as the film tries its best to implement character development to produce audience empathy, amidst a darker message about people in war, but sadly that’s never realized. Stooping into tired and overdone clichés, it takes away from its potential for a middle act that is purely explosions and Chris Hemsworth brooding, following into a final act of more explosions and forced empathetic situations that might as well be parody.
Even viewing 12 Strong on the flip side of it being a patriotic action-fuelled flick, it still leaves much to be desired. The action is done well for the most part and it’s enjoyable to see something a bit different (the difference being that they fight on horseback in the desert, which come to think of it, isn’t that radical). In the more reserved scenes the action was actually far tenser and more brutal. Some commendation has to be given for the lack of shaky cam in hyperintense scenes as well as not shying away from the gore, but again this is walking in between being two different kinds of war film. Where 12 Strong’s action-fueled sequences lack flash, is in the lack of innovative new ideas to make the audience feel the intensity of the situation. There is no heroic fist in the air, no worthy moments to recall here.
So, when the dust has settled from the firefights, 12 Strong’s real problem is exposed; its lazy writing and lack of ambition with its story. Familiar dialogue and lack of deeper character development squander the potential for this otherwise entertaining film that doesn’t quite display any edge-of-your-seat action but can be a decent time as long as you don’t expect too much from it.
words JAKE YOUNG
12 Strong is out now in cinemas.