To my understanding, Act of Valor was originally to be a recruitment tool produced by the United States Navy in order to promote the Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) program that evolved into a feature film. The SEALs are the elite of the elite. These guys are true badasses. Known as “operators,” these groups form a tight bond that is forged in combat and strengthened through hardship and time. Since a majority of the cast of Act of Valor is made up of active-duty Navy SEALs (whose real names are not revealed for obvious reasons), these hardships and bonds are on full display.

Though the weaknesses in acting are noticeable, that doesn’t take away from the overall experience of the film. And there are some recognizable faces throughout the movie, but the meat and potatoes consists of the true operators. Watching the SEALs and actors interact is comparable to watching a truly athletic individual partake in a wrestling match for the first time: they’re not as good as those seasoned veterans, but you know that they are doing well.

One of the main points of the film (besides the kick-ass action) is the story of the families that these operators leave behind each time they leave for whatever remote location they are required to infiltrate to complete their next mission. One line in the movie says something along the lines of “these wives say goodbye to their husbands knowing that it might be the last time they ever see them again.” It’s hard to relate to these people and their situations unless you’ve personally experienced it in much the same way that most people can’t understand why wrestlers leave home to drive hundreds of miles for little pay unless they are wrestlers themselves. We do it for the love and passion; the SEALs do it because it is their job to protect our nation. They could choose to do something else, but they know that they belong and are doing the right thing. The difference is we are more than likely coming home after every trip, but they might not.

As a veteran who served more than eight years in the United States Army, what I appreciate in Act of Valor is that it’s not too overdone. It’s not over the top, it’s not a blow-as-much-shit-up-as-we-can kind of film, but the action is engaging and keeps your attention the whole time. One amazing moment in the film is when the sniper picks off one of the goons and before the body splashes into the water, another operator’s hands come up from under the water to gently pull him under. The communication and synergy between these SEAL Teams is unparalleled and quite amazing. I’ve seen it firsthand and it is truly a sight to behold.

I’m not going to give away any more of the film because I’d rather you see it and form your own opinions. But trust me, it is worth the trip and you will walk away with a different perspective on the military and the sacrifices that they make daily protecting our freedom.

Act of Valor. Directed by Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh. Starring Alex Veadov, Roselyn Sánchez, Nestor Serrano and Emilio Rivera. Rated R. www.actofvalor.com.

Review by dany only