Movie Review: Act of Valor

For a slightly different taste of your action/adventure film Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh have brought the heroes that you have heard about on television to your big screen. The movie act of Valor is about a elite of group of Navy Seals that embark on a mission of national security. The reason why this film is a little bit different than that rest is because the main actors in the film are portrayed by actual active duty servicemen.
When I saw an advance screening of the film there was a recorded message from the filmmakers about how they went about making this films and why they ended up choosing their "method actors", as I would call them, for this project. I hope for sake of everyone else that sees this film that this was taken out before its release date on February 24. After that I listening to their speech that somewhat through me out of my movie going moment the film started. In the beginning the film felt a little pushed to began to catch its stride. For most action fans there are guns, explosions and blood but there are also huge machines. The filmmakers were able to use/ borrow lots of military grade machinery to make their film as believable as possible to the viewers in their seats, so much so that at a given time you may feel like you are watching a recruiter video.
Besides the needed special effects there is the essential acting in the film. The first time actors do an okay job because they are put into scenarios that they are used to on a day to day, leaving the family, going on missions, and so. The only issues that arise are when they are trying to create friendly banter which I am not completely sure it is there fault, besides them being inexperienced some of the writing kind of felt over dramatic or lacked a natural flow.
But to balance out their inexperience as actors there are some phenomenal actors cast along side them. Alex Veadov who's only recognizable role would be as Vadim Nezhinski in We Own the Night does a great job as an antagonist capitalist. Another addition to the film is the very talented and beautiful Roselyn Sanchez (known for her roles in Without A Trace, The Game Plan, Underclassman)  who is an under cover CIA agent.  No to mention Nestor Serrano (known for roles in the 2000s 90210, Definitely, Maybe and 24) as a member of Interpol, I believe. The professional actors definitely help create and move the story along.
Even thought there are hiccups everywhere in this film it was still a pretty good watch and I would recommend watching it but as a DVD rental.