asiller0308 I would have to wholeheartedly agree with the most popular reviews here such as "tmiller163" and "jmcfrancis." The entire story feels very contrived and almost like I am watching those ubiquitous reality TV shows most Americans can't get enough of. Being an avid combat-footage junkie, I would say I have a pretty good idea of what to expect when it comes to watching an authentic firefight. I know what a whizzing bullet would sound like, and ESPECIALLY what one wouldn't sound like. In this film, I was completely disconnected from any verisimilitude by the use of cheap bullet sound effects. The whole thing seemed forcefully done for the purpose of sensationalism. It even felt as if Mike was in on the hype by using cheap editing tricks to make certain shots seem WAY more dramatic than they actually were. Again, I felt like I was watching "World's Wildest Firefights Caught on Camera" instead of genuine raw combat footage. Which is a shame because the real story here should've focused on the soldiers and the high price they pay fighting America's wars.I didn't dislike the film entirely, the last 20 minutes made up for what the film was lacking in. But if you guys really want to see what The War in Afghanistan looks like, I would stick to films such as "Restrepo" or "Armadillo." No cheap sound-effects used there, just pure-unadulterated storytelling.

ftbear These men and women did it, and they're still doing it today. That is, put their lives on the line so that others may live in freedom; even those that disagree with them.It has been said that the more things change, the more they remain the same. During the American revolution there were those that were opposed to fighting for freedom and independence from England. Before and during the Civil War that same "no war is good - don't fight" attitude was espoused by many people who would have refused freedom to men and women living in chains in the south. Have we learned from our mistakes of the past? No; it's not any different now. That same attitude is given voice by some people today. Seemingly, they never stop to think that the freedom to openly share their opinion (without fear of being dragged from their home and shot in the street by death squads) was bought and paid for by the same men and women that they are disrespecting today.I can't imagine what it must be like for the family members of the men and women who died in Afghanistan to come here and read some of the totally insensitive comments that others have posted. God has already had mercy on those that gave their lives; they're safely home with Him. He will need to give even more mercy to those that have no respect for the priceless gift they have received. Greater love has no man, or woman, than to lay down their life for their friends. Yes, the word is friends. The bottom line is that there is no we and they; there is only us. It's time we started getting it right.I wish every theater, school, church and meeting place in America would show this film. It deserves to been seen. This is war up close, in your face and personal. These are real men and women, real lives and the real reasons why they are there - honestly and sensitively portrayed. I consider it to be nothing short of a masterpiece.Be aware that my next comment may be a spoiler, but I would like to share something about a part in the film when the soldiers are talking to a group of children. The children are telling them where the enemy has been, and perhaps where they stashed some weapons. While watching this I was aware that the wisdom of children often exceeds that of we so-called adults. These children KNEW who the enemy was, and it was not the Americans. The children were not afraid of the Americans, they were afraid of the Taliban - and they were doing what they could to help the soldiers. For me, that was a moment of absolute clarity. Is our being there serving a purpose? Just ask those children.

CU_DSOTM This movie has been showing around the country in limited release for several months. Either it didn't show around here or I missed it, so I have been waiting for the BD, which arrived today. I have been following the movie on FB, etc, since I know the journalist/ producer Mike Boettcher, however slightly. That is, we attended the same high school (Ponca City, Oklahoma) at the same time, he two years my senior . Mike is an Emmy Award - winning journalist who works for ABC News.This film has some of the feel of Restrepo which was also filmed in Afghanistan. The first half of the film is about Mike and his son Carlos embedding together for a year- a father and son bonding to help repair their distant relationship which was due to Mike having been on assignment around the world and not able to spend enough time with his children. Carlos must learn quickly both how to survive and how to be a photojournalist. The second half occurs after Carlos returns home and Mike moves on to a mission into the Kunar Province to rout out a Taliban commander. Things don't go so well.This movie is a realistic accounting - it's actual footage- of war/ fighting in the Afghan countryside and also is a tribute to the soldiers who have fought and died. It's an easy recommend for me.(For the 10/11 Not Helpful votes, Bite Me!)

vandylaw81 If you have ever seen the woods surrounding Bastogne, Belgium? I watched this film I wondered if war truly ever ends, or does the scenery just change. I enjoyed the movie and about the father and son bonding in the middle of a war zone. It just hit me that, like Restrepo, the tactics here resembled the Thunder Run down Highway One in Vietnam. No solid Intel, just Gator Bait with bullets and bombs. That troubled me, because using Gator Bait tactics, the result is almost always the same. The Officers didn't appear to prepare the NCOs for an Op in the Devil's front yard. But then again, how do you prepare to fight an enemy, in their back yard, that fought the Roman Legions and the British Empire? I do not think you can find the answer in FM 25-100 and FM 25-101. I agree that we just planted seeds, really expensive seeds.