Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
12 Strong is an action thriller from director Nicolai Fuglsig and stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Peña. It tells the true story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11; under the leadership of a new captain, the team must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban.
Under The Lens: Time Capsule and Action
Time Capsule: This picture as stated is based on a true story about the invasion of Afganistan in 2001, the picture is very much a time capsule from that time period and does a good job of reminding and showcasing the thought process and politics of the post 9/11 world. As someone who experienced 9/11 as it happened and was glued to the television as the invasions began, this picture was a sobering reminder of that time and the feelings that we all felt. 9/11 regardless of your political leanings was a historic event in our nation and for those of us who lived through it one that we will never forget.
Action: One of the strong aspects of this picture is the use of action setpieces, Nicolai Fuglsig has a keen eye for exciting moments and filming the shootouts in a way that is chaotic and exciting all at the same time. The final battle is very originally filmed as it features tanks, rockets, and cavalry charges! We see the special forces go in on horseback and the action harkens back to old school 50s westerns mixed with the golden age of Hollywood WWII pictures.
Highlights
Chris Hemsworth plays a special forces soldier well, and we get enough of a backstory that he is not just a cut and dry placeholder.
The picture has an almost docudrama feel to it, which adds to its realism.
Something to think about
where were you when 9/11 happened? Do you remember how you felt hearing the news?
Conclusion
Overall 12 Strong, is an exciting and at times thrilling military action picture, its script pays respect to the brave men of the special forces team dropped behind enemy lines right after 9/11, The picture leans into the machismo we expect from Miltary thrillers and makes no effort to showcase them as anything other than action heroes fighting evil. The acting is fine for the story and while William Fichtner’s bald cap is a crime almost humanity, the film provides a few hours of fun entertainment.