Film Review: "Lone Survivor" (2013).

"Based on True Acts of Courage." This is Lone Survivor. This biographical military action film adapted and and directed by Peter Berg, and based on the 2007 non-fiction book Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson. The film follows Marcus Luttrell and three Navy SEALs who are sent to locate Taliban leader Ahmad Shah in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, where they become targets of enemy attacks.

Following its publication in 2007, producer Barry Spikings met Luttrell's attorney Alan Schwartz, who was interested in making a film adaptation. Schwartz suggested that Spikings' son-in-law Akiva Goldsman to pen the adaptation. However, Goldsman did not believe he was the right screenwriter for the project, and suggested that Berg write and direct the film. Spikings and Goldsman passed the book on to Berg's producing partner Sarah Aubrey. Berg first learned of the book while filming Hancock (2008), and after he and Aubrey read it, they arranged several meetings with Luttrell to discuss a film adaptation. Luttrell also viewed a rough cut of Berg's then-upcoming film The Kingdom (2007), and was impressed by his direction. The film rights to the book had become the subject of a bidding war among a host of established studios, including Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks, and Universal Pictures. In August 2007, Universal secured the rights for more than $2 million. Berg then chose to direct Battleship (2012) for Universal before resuming production on the film. Prior to writing the screenplay, Berg met with the families of the deceased. Berg also expressed that he was motivated by the families to make the story as realistic as possible. To provide authenticity, Luttrell moved into Berg's home for one month while Berg was writing the script. He acted as a consultant. Berg later embedded with a Navy SEAL team—becoming the first civilian to do so—and lived with them for a month in Iraq while he continued writing the screenplay. Berg had discussed the project with Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Hirsch, and Foster years earlier. When Wahlberg read the script and expressed an interest in portraying Luttrell. By early October Wahlberg, Kitsch, Hirsch, Foster, and Eric Bana were cast. Although Wahlberg, Kitsch, Hirsch and Foster had physically trained for their roles prior to filming, Luttrell organized a three-week training regimen at a bootcamp in New Mexico, where the actors were trained by military advisor Mark Semos in weapons, military communications, and tactics. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in mid November. Filming took place throughout New Mexico.

The film stars Wahlberg, Kitsch, Hirsch, Foster, and Bana. Wahlberg leading his team of experts into uncharted territory, which then leads to the longest, best action sequence of the year. Like the film, the cast unapologetically shows U.S. Navy SEALs knocking off terrorists.

While providing several top-notch action scenes and performances, Lone Survivor ultimately collapses under the weight of formula and muddled politics.

Simon says Lone Survivor receives:

Also, see my review for Battleship.