Act of Valor [Blu-ray]

I just watched this movie last night and I loved it. There's a lot of criticism of the acting and a lot of talk that the guys were emotionless, but I don't think people realize how realistic this was. I think the guys showed emotion the way they actually do, because it's them, being themselves. I realize people have become used to these amazing dramatic renderings of emotion as portrayed by professional actors, and yes, those portrayals are more polished and less awkward to watch.However, having served many years myself and having worked, on occasion, with spec ops guys in both the Army and Navy, I can tell you that the way they are in real life is not perfect emotional rendering. They actually have to shut it down, and that is pretty much what it looks like from the outside. These guys are great at what they do, but what they do is not acting. I've been around some pretty intense operational moments, farewells before deployment, etc., and it doesn't look like what you would expect it to. There is a lot of awkwardness, a lot of stuffed emotions. And operators in the spec ops world ARE absolutely, ridiculously calm (some might say emotionless) in extremely intense situations. For real. It's NOT Hollywood. It's also not some fabulously beautiful man baring his soul and letting you see just how much he's going to miss you. It's things only his wife would know that show how he feels, but it doesn't look like what you'd expect necessarily.The scenes when they are planning the ops seem a little stilted, but not as much as you would think. Dialogue in these meetings doesn't go down like something from one of the Bourne movies. People don't actually talk like that in real life. I think this was so authentic and honest, and people are so conditioned to seeing the cinematic version of events, they don't stop to think: have I ever had a conversation at work or with my significant other that sounded that perfectly timed, that cool, whatever? Nope. Not really. Not only that, the action is all real, and a lot of the bullets are real, and for people who don't get how intense and incredible that is, there's nothing anyone could possibly say to you to give you the proper perspective. You'd have to go to a live range and live it for yourself. It's a great movie, precisely because it's so real. I have no idea what all the negativity is about.People need to get this: the reason we haven't had another 9/11 since 2001 ISN'T because there haven't been any more attempts. It's because our military has been on watch and prevented them. Doing just exactly the kinds of things you see in the movie. And how they come off as actors is irrelevant. I saw a review online that said the acting was so bad, the SEALs deserved better, to show them as they really are. I laughed. These guys ARE showing you how they really are, it's just not as set perfect as everyone wants to believe. They had daily input into the script, and wouldn't say a line if it wasn't something they'd actually say. The review also had issues with the interrogator, which I thought was also funny, because the interrogator is the real deal, and that is what he does, and how he does it, for a living, every day. How many people has the reviewer seen interrogated in real life, I wonder?I imagine everyone whose real story has been brought to film has felt inside like they really looked good with that actress or actor portraying them, because they know it wasn't that polished in real life. This is the real deal. All those who are anti-military and who love to hate what the military does are going to find fault with this movie because it is completely unapologetic and it doesn't try to be Hollywood. It shows you just how much our guys have to do to neutralize threats. These are also the people who want to believe that threats only exist if we provoke them, and they would be terrified if they knew just how many bad guys are plotting against us every day, and would happily dispense with any of us in reaching their goals, in the most horrifying and gruesome ways possible. Anyone who is caught up in grading the quality of acting from an artistic and theatrical perspective will also be disappointed, but if you can let yourself in on the secret that this is very much how things go down in the real world, you might actually enjoy it. The filmmaking is outstanding and the story is a fictional portrayal of a real-world situation that absolutely COULD happen. This movie rocks, and I salute the film makers and especially men who made it, as well as all their brothers and sisters in arms. I am proud to have served with you.

We watch movies based on the way they make us feel. We are seeking some kind of feeling when we put it in the disc player. Sometimes we know what to expect and we take a gamble- that is a part of the fun even if the movie is disappointing. Professional Movie Critics often don't get this. An action or war movie is just an action or war movie. I go in with that minimal expectation and I am never disappointed. Movie directors, producers and "professional movie critics" dismiss most of the movies normal people living in the other 99 percent of the world enjoy. This is the beauty of the online, normal John Doe Review living outside the Hollywood elitist scene in the 99 percent real world.Having said this, I was expecting an excellent movie because the trailers alone had already set my normal action war movie expectation. I was ready to feel good about this one. The movie went beyond my expectations and blew me away. Now, I am not your normal war/military movie buff. I own a collection, thanks mostly to Amazon, of some 50 to 60 war movies- one for every week of the year and every war America has fought. I am so intense on historical accuracy that I insist on switching back and forth through my D-day viewing cycle from Band of Brothers  Band of Brothers [Blu-ray ] to Saving Private Ryan  Saving Private Ryan (Sapphire Series) [Blu-ray ] playing and pausing both on two separate DVD players. The paratroopers are working to take out the brutal German 88's behind the lines aimed at the beaches while our boys are landing. I start the yearly cycle with The Patriot  The Patriot (Extended Cut) [Blu-ray ] and now end with Act of Valor. I remember these guys even if the world forgets.So, it is fair to say I have seen my share of war movies and in particular American soldier tribute movies. These are movies that the real 99 percent actually love. The true 1 percent in America are the Hollywood elites, Government ruling and Union classes. Wallstreet actually represents most of the 99 percent's retirement portfolios. This is extremely relevant to this review based on the simple fact that in my search for the top 50 best soldier sacrifice tribute pieces the vast majority of war movies in general are America hating garbage. Most put out by the 1 percent Hollywood elite Marxist leaning producers, writers and directors show our troops in the greatest negative light possible: unintelligent, limited vocabulary morons who kill and rape for the fun of it. While that may be true for a handful, those of us in the real 99 percent world with family members and loved ones in harms way pay tribute to the real American soldier. Even the out of touch elitist's freedom to be so idiotically wrong and twisted about life in general is protected by these great warriors.The very best of America's men and women are accurately portrayed in this movie Act of Valor and it is the exact opposite of the tripe usually produced by Hollywood. They have spouses and families they nurture. They take lives to protect lives in America and around the world. We see their goodness and the evil of the terrorists in stark realistic contrast. We see their professionalism and superb physical and mental training outwitting and punishing evil. They are a warrior class living among us willing to give their lives for their fellow Seals and us at a moments notice without flinching or blinking. These are rare and wonderful traits and even more rare is the opportunity for us to finally see it in action. Along with their many portrayed virtues, we see modesty. They do not talk, they just head down range and do their job. We can see why they might be a little offended (just a little) when a 1 percent representing political leader possessing no understanding of this Seal Creed actually has the unmitigated gall to take full credit for their actions. This movie really helps us relate to that perspective.I am a business man working for a regional financial instituition helping small businesses survive every single day in this economy. I have seen my own share of economic casualties. This movie is life changing. I get up everyday and sometimes have to will myself to work in the midst of the economic devastation. The US military inspires me to do my part. If they can give their very lives to keep us free from fear and death, I can at the very least do what I do best and help keep the engines of our free economy moving. In this very small way I try to honor their sacrifice. Definitely one of the most inspiring and realistic movies of the year for the true American 99 percent.

have added to library / interesting to watch true action

Must of been accidentally bought but I've watched this twice on regular TV so my review is good movie plot if you're into terrorist threat tunnels for smuggling and hostage rescue it has it all

Muy Realista, (100 x 100)...

What a great movie!!! I absolutely love history and docudramas about war. This flick was a stunning testament to the courage, bravery and the lengths our military go through every day to keep our countries free. There aren't words enough to thank them!

Llegó en tiempo y en forma el paquete sólo un detalle.muy pequeño del lado inferior derecho pero sin rayaduras.Una excelente película podría decir que la mejor que he visto en esta categoría.

Fornisco questo feedback sul DVD Act of valor per le persone che non sono a conoscenza di come è stato realizzato.Mi è piaciuta la scelta degli attori. Prima hanno vistionato dei veri attori e durante la fase di addestramento, si sono resi conto che i loro istruttori li superavano sotto tutti i punti di vista, tanto che hanno liquidato gli attori e assunto gli istruttori (tutti ex reparti USMC).Accettano con una sola regola: le armi non devono essere quelle in uso nei reparti operativi, usare le armi vere nelle riprese e nessuna scena da film americano.Questo permette al film di avere delle scene uniche!!! La professionalità si vede in tanti piccoli particolari che si apprezzano seguendo il susseguirsi delle scene.Lo consiglio a tutti coloro che lo hanno perso al cinema.

Der Film ist klasse!Pyrotechnik vom Feinsten, wenig sinnloses Gelaber und waffentechnisch top!Natürlich, wie in den meisten Streifen, der typisch amerikanische Nationalstolz und auch ein Stück Respekt vor der Truppe!Wer einen militärkritischen Film schauen möchte, sollte sich Platoon, Im Westen nichts Neues oder Vergleichbare ansehen.Act of Valor ist sicher kein oscar-verdächtiger Film, aber er ist unterhaltsam.Besonders wichtig finde ich, man sieht den Darstellern an, dass sie den Umgang mit der Waffe gewohnt sind und wissen, wie sie sich zu bewegen haben. Das ist ja bei "echten" Schauspielern leider nicht immer so.Also, nicht aufregen über den US-Patriotismus, denn der gehört genauso dazu, wie das Geballer und eine schöne Frau.Das, was die Navy SEALs und alle anderen Spezialkräfte jeden Tag leisten, kann ruhig mal in dieser Art und Weise gewürdigt werden!