Special Forces [Blu-ray]

[Spoilers ahead]Some plot and military tactic quibbles aside, I really enjoyed this movie! I haven't enjoyed a Spec Ops movie like this since Tears of the Sun. To be sure, I enjoyed Tears of the Sun more, but there were actually several parallels with it in this film. I like how the human side of the characters is brought out, amidst their frustration and desperation, even down to the smallest things to make each other crack a smile for a split second amidst misery. The conscience aspect of the Special Forces team going back to help those who helped them kept this from being some calloused action thriller just in it for the bullets. But make no mistake, from beginning to end there is just one tragedy after another and you just wish this scenario didn't happen.While it may be unrealistic, as some have pointed out, for a sniper to be on the run out in the open, towards the end I remember the scene where with every stop, his pursuers would stop to stay out of range, and with every move forward they pursued. It was then it sunk in how maniacal the pursuers were, hunting their prey like dogs relentlessly. That signified an insane will to kill someone at all costs, and I think the movie portrayed that dynamic well.And how about that scenery? I mean, wow. Gorgeous and stunning scenery. I'm a sucker for any movie with expansive outdoors shots and I was treated to a lot of it in this movie. So, I found that very visually satisfying.At times I found the main villain too glib and overdoing the "cool as a cucumber" persona, as he just shoots people. However, I also convincingly saw someone desperate to not fail his superiors since he knew his head was on the chopping block otherwise. So as a bad guy he was an okay character, albeit a bit one dimensional.I could give this four stars but the fact that I was able to mostly suspend belief at some of the parts I critiqued and just allow myself to be taken in by the story allowed me to just really enjoy all the strong, beautiful, and moving elements in this movie far more. I definitely anticipate watching this movie again in the future!

It's been a looooong time since I cried watching a movie...and on DVD? Never!!! But this incredible surprise of a French war film caused me to cry. Why? You get so emotionally involved with the characters. You love them. And when they get hurt, or killed as several do, you share in the pain, loss, and heartache.As a director who is described as "an actors director" by the Los Angeles Times, I found the performances top-rate.In the beginning I was sort of laid back, not too impressed by Diane Kruger nor her journalist character, but she rose triumphant both as a character, journalist and actress...her performance became glowing.Outstanding performance from veteran Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamonds)...I didn't know he spoke French fluently. He was powerful. And when agonizes over his buddy getting killed who we as the audience also love, you cannot help but shed tears as well.Handsome Israeli actor Raz Degan who plays a cold-blooded Taliban overzealous with a chip on his shoulders killer was so convincing he made me shudder. Interesting to note that many Israeli actors are cast as Arabs, i.e., the Arab bandit in THE MUMMY, and Saddam Hussein in the HBO mini-series was played by an Israeli whose family came to Israel from Iraq.Suffice to say, I was moved, and thrilled by this French made war movie.Last week I saw Act of Valor which also dealt with Special Forces, US...I bought a copy because the action scenes and characters were terrific. But in comparing that film, Black Hawk Down, this French film rise way above them because it makes you FEEL. And when you feel, you share in the experience that the characters on the screen are going through. And that's cinema at its best.My screenplay IN MY FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS is like that, and when it gets made with the right cast and director, it will resonate with audiences as well. I just pray it's directed and cast and shot as well as this marvelous film. I also watched EXPANDABLES this week and when I compare the two films, what a piece of garbage that was. I also saw the new Conan, and what trash that was too with all its expensive CGI action. (BTW, in Expendables, the best line is spoken by Schwarzenegger saying about a Smart car: "My shoe is bigger than this car". The only amusing line in the film - which does have exciting action).Talking about action, the French Special Forces has a lotta EXCELLENTLY SHOT action, but even as we're in the midst of the danger and violence, we are still connected emotionally with the characters which we cannot say about most US action films.Which is why when I run across great films like this French made Special Forces, Silver Lining Playbook, The Fighter, This Is 40, etc., I sing its praises. Special Forces will not make the mega bucks of some of our US made comic book garbage that passes for cinema...and even well intended bores like the pretentious Lincoln that made me fall asleep with its overwrought bedroom melodramatics and over-intellectualized flowered lingo, but I hope people here discover the film and see itTake my word, you will not be disappointed by this superior feature film of honor, and integrity. Congrats to all who made it including Canal Studio who financed it.4/2015 UPDATE: I BOUGHT THE DVD AND WATCHED IT AGAIN AFTER A FEW MONTHS, AND IT WAS JUST AS GREAT THE SECOND TIME AROUND. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

On the part of the special forces team they truly were emotional caring and loving about their friends being killed which is not normally seen however, the journalist was a bit self-centered and how she conducted herself in a time of danger walking around out there with her blonde hair letting everybody know she wasn't one of them asking about a woman they were already trying to kill but it was suspenseful exciting tearful and a true fight of only eight people against so many was courageous but sad that so many died for one person though which wasn't necessary and where is the GPS the helicopter tracking or some way to find these people that they had to be out there for 11 days looks like they didn't really try hard to find them and doesn't seem correct at all not unless it was done in the 1980s

I love this movie. Have seen it 4 times at least. Love all the actors.

If you're wondering wether to replace your dvd with this Blu-ray, just do it.Picture and sound are fantastic.

Recieved a copy only good in Europe(region 2).

Très bon film français. Les personnages sont crédibles, authentiques, brut de décoffrage, attachants. J'aime ce genre de film qui se démarquent des superprod américaines stéréotypées et prévisibles. Le scénario m'a tenu en haleine jusqu'au bout.

Ein Rezensent vergleicht ihn mit "Tränen der Sonne".Nun, für mich ist dieser hier dem amerikanischen haushoch überlegen. Die Unstimmigkeiten, die die Rezensenten hier aufführen, gibt es doch in jedem Actionfilm/Kriegsfilm.Was fehlt ist diese typisch amerikanische Lobpreisung des US Militärs, das am Ende wieder einmal alle Bösen niedergemetzelt hat. Wer auf solches Heldenepos abfährt und Tränen der Sonne als guten Film einstuft - ja, für den ist der vorliegende nichts.Gepaart mit grandiosen Landschaftsaufnahmen ist er teilweise besinnlich und durchaus schwermütig. Hier ist kein Groskotz a la Bruce Willis mit seinem Talent, immer gleich zu spielen, der der Held ist. Hier ist der Held einmal eine Frau, die ihre Retter rettet.Es ist ein französischer Film, der einen berührt.Dazu gibt es noch ein Making off von fast Filmlänge, in dem man viel erfährt, auch wenn man kein Französisch kann. Es erschließt sich einem aus den Szenen.Also, wer Actionballerei a la Bruce Willis liebt, der sollte die Finger davon lassen. Wer eher ein melodramatisches Epos mit grandiosen Landschaftsaufnahmen sucht, der ist hier richtig.

Mark as sell from canada and came from united kingdom so never work