12 Strong Spoiler-Free Movie Review
As a guest of Warner Bros. Pictures I attended an early screening of the film 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers. Below I share my 12 Strong spoiler-free movie review and trailer.
12 Strong Spoiler Free Movie Review
Everyone has their own 9/11 memory. Their own story of where they were when the terrorist attacks hit America. For some, we can still picture it like it just happened. For others, they were nearby or on the ground where the attacks took place. And for thousands, loved ones were lost and their families were directly affected. Then you have the families of the soldiers that watched as they deployed to fight. A fight they were not sure if they would return home from. All of these facts are emotional ones and going into this movie I did not realize how much it would affect me.
My anxiety spiked when the movie opened to the world watching the terror unfold. Seeing the heartbreak and the news on their television was like reliving it. For many this will be a trigger. I knew what I was going into the theater to see. I knew the true storyline it was based on. I also vividly remember the 9/11 attacks from my old job at the DFW Airport Board.
The film was so realistic I felt like someone reached out, grabbed my heart, and was squeezing.
“Nineteen men attacked our country. The twelve of you will be the first ones to fight back.” ~ Colonel Mulholland
I am thankful the movie was not as graphic and gory as I expected. Do not misunderstand, it is a war movie. There is death, blood and plenty of violence. However, when leaving the theater I was not shocked or disgusted by gory scenes. I felt it showed enough of what was needed to tell the story without going overboard.
Three Reasons to Watch 12 Strong
Understanding
“We’re outnumbered fifty thousand Taliban to Al Qaeda fighters. We’re on our own. I can’t order anyone to do this” ~ Captain Mitch Nelson
Within 24 hours a team of 12 soldiers were assembled and preparing for battle. A Captain that had never been to war led his team on one of the most important missions in the free world. You may know the tragedy that hit our country but 12 Strong shows you what took place behind-the-scenes to save our country. The twelve men were forced to put blind trust in the General of the Northern Alliance, men they knew nothing about. The movie does an excellent job of showing how dangerous and scary this situation was. How much strength and courage it took of our Army.
Appreciation
“How do you love your family and leave them to go to war?” ~ CWO Cal Spencer
Knowing 12 Strong is based on the true story of the Horse Soldiers, it will give you a better appreciation of our United States Army. Being a mom of a soldier I felt a strong emotional ping when watching this movie. I thought I was pretty educated on what took place but I was surprised by some of the details. It was truly inspiring to see their courage and loyalty.
Can you imagine going into war on horseback against men in tanks? There is one line in the movie that described the Taliban as men that welcome death, look forward to dying to have a better life. Men that literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain are the scariest kind to go against in war.
History
After 9/11 many things changed. From security at airports to national policies. Watching 12 Strong gives you a bit of the history. The actors did an amazing job in this film. We’ve seen Chris Hemsworth in a fictional battle on Asgard but now we got to see him step into a role playing a true hero. He was quoted saying how honored he felt to be a part of this movie. History is always a good lesson and this story was inspirational, heartbreaking, encouraging, and heavy. It gives you a little hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Heart of a hero. Courage of a warrior. 12 Strong is in theaters Friday.
Chris Hemsworth (“Thor,” “The Avengers” films) and Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road,” “Nocturnal Animals”) star in “12 Strong,” a powerful new war drama from Alcon Entertainment, Black Label Media, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Based on Doug Stanton’s best-selling book, “Horse Soldiers,” it is story of heroism based on true events that unfolded a world away in the aftermath of 9/11.
“12 Strong” is set in the harrowing days following 9/11 when a U.S. Special Forces team, led by their new Captain, Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth), is chosen to be the first U.S. troops sent into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. There, in the rugged mountains, they must convince Northern Alliance General Dostum (Navid Negahban) to join forces with them to fight their common adversary: the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. In addition to overcoming mutual distrust and a vast cultural divide, the Americans—accustomed to state-of-the-art warfare—must adopt the rudimentary tactics of the Afghani horse soldiers. But despite their uneasy bond, the new allies face overwhelming odds: outnumbered and outgunned by a ruthless enemy that does not take prisoners.
Rated R for war violence and language throughout.
Get your 12 Strong movie tickets today.