What sets Act of Valor apart from other Hollywood action films is the fact that the leading and supporting roles are played by active duty Navy SEALs. This fact certainly aided in the films' action sequences, which were tense and stunning. Since there were no "actors" playing the lead and supporting roles, and the filmmakers chose to shoot the film in a documentary - style fashion, one could not help but feel as though they were on the ground with the SEALs fighting terrorists or rescuing the kidnapped CIA operative. The language used, the equipment and weaponry employed all added a touch of realism that made the action all the more impactful and real. Where the film lost steam was when the SEALs were asked to act. The way they delivered their lines when they were discussing things other than the mission left much to be desired (but one honestly cannot fault them for that, after all they are not trained actors). The clunky script and predictable story did not help matters either.
The film was never going to blow the audience away with Oscar worthy performances by the cast or dazzle critics with the complexity and depth of its story. It was a film which tried to give the audience a realistic look at the actions, emotions and sacrifices made by real soldiers every day. Act of Valor did that.
Grade: C+
