’12 Strong’ is not your typical Hollywood war movie. It doesn’t rely on flashy special effects or exaggerated heroics. Instead, it grounds itself in the reality of modern warfare.
The Afghan landscape, characterized by its rugged mountains and unforgiving terrain, plays a crucial role in the film, showcasing the challenges the soldiers face as they navigate one of the most hostile environments on earth. (Cinemovie)
The soldiers portrayed in the film are not superhuman; they’re men who understand the gravity of their mission and the potential cost. The film does a good job of showing the complexities of war, especially when fighting in a foreign land with unfamiliar allies. It also does a pretty good job of showing how deployments affect our families and loved ones in different ways. Before 9/11, Nutsch was preparing to take a desk job. His wife was most likely of the mindset that his dangerous deployment days were over. Nothing could have been further from the truth. 11 of the 12 men were married, ten had children.
The combat scenes are intense but not gratuitous. The filmmakers focus on the tactical aspects of the battles, highlighting the challenges the soldiers face in coordinating with the Northern Alliance fighters.
Some of the real-life accommodations for ODA 595 in Afghanistan.
While unconventional, the use of horses in combat is shown as a necessity rather than a gimmick. And the hell of it was, besides Mark, only one other guy on the ODA had any experience at all riding a horse, and that was at a dude ranch. Green Berets, however, are resilient and learn fast. The film effectively captures the tension and unpredictability of warfare, expect the unexpected.
