First and for most I just have to say wow. Ross Katz is an amazing director that I will need to follow from this point on. Powerful, inspirational, moving, motivational, emotional, powerful. The first and last are the same because honestly that is what that movie is. I think every… More
First and for most I just have to say wow. Ross Katz is an amazing director that I will need to follow from this point on. Powerful, inspirational, moving, motivational, emotional, powerful. The first and last are the same because honestly that is what that movie is. I think every American needs to watch this movie, I would say everyone everywhere but there are people out there that just will never understand what this movie is saying. Sadly there are just as many Americans out there that won?t understand just how deep and meaningful this film is.
Now this isn?t an action film. This is a story of a Marine, a PFC that was killed in the line of duty during ?Operation Freedom?. I feel with all I am that this movie needed to be made and come out when it did. There are people out there that don?t understand the war, don?t agree with it, whatever the case. This movie doesn?t make excuses or try to explain. It?s simply the story of the 2 men?s lives, and how just because one of them is no longer with us, it doesn?t cease to inspire. You have Kevin Bacon playing a Marine officer that works at Quantico doing reports on what he feels are adequate numbers to send to replace those KIA. The start of the movie is a little different from the pace of the movie but it stands to show Kevin?s character and gives him a baseline to start. When the superior Officer hears Bacon?s report he asks how many of the officers in the room have served a tour in the sandbox and he was the only one not to raise his hand. It is then that the Commander says that he means no disrespect, but he doesn?t want the opinion of someone who hasn?t been over there. Just the way that line is delivered and the look in Kevin?s face you can see the regret, the shame and just so much underneath.
It is after this that he sees the order come down that there is a PFC needing to be shipped home. Now normally such high ranking officers don?t follow the solider home but he wants to make an exception this time. The Marine that was KIA is so young and only a PFC but he is impressively decorated for his short time in battle. You see the care and the just meticulous work that goes into preparing the Solider for his last journey. Due to an overwhelming amount of soldiers needing processed the PFC gets pushed back to being released the next day. It is here that they start their trip. Two men bound by something greater than blood, they are bound by honor and duty.
?The remains of the traveled feet first when being transported from one point to the other. At each transfer point, regardless of the mode of transport you will render honors.? This is the speech given to each of the soldiers accompanying the men home. The airport is the first stop and almost right away you can?t help but be taken off guard as the lady behind the counter takes over for the person who was going to help Kevin, and she tells him that things have been taken care of and she has upgraded him to first class. She then proceeds to thank him for everything he has done. Seeing someone just pay their respect right there like that was an amazing thing to see but it is far from the last. All along the way people from all walks of life in all places recognize what has happened and what it means and they all pay tribute.
I?m not going to name each of the incidents but this movie has two of the most powerful images I?ve seen in movies in a long time, if not ever. Before the flight you see Kevin speak with some of the a couple people that are baggage handlers. He has to stay overnight as the flight isn?t until the morning. Kevin doesn?t leave the soldiers side and requests to stay in the hanger with him to not leave his man alone. The one baggage handler comes back afterwards and brings blankets and such for Kevin to sleep on because he has nothing for a situation like this. The next morning as they go to move him to the plane you slowly see all the baggage handlers and miscellaneous people gather around the plane, removing their hands and paying their respect. As the solider makes his way up the conveyer you see each person, not knowing this solider or the things he did, each pay their respect and you can see in their faces that they get it. The fact that nobody told them to do that, that they all came together like that is really something. Showing the solidarity and respect for someone who gave so much is truly amazing.
It wasn?t until Kevin was following the funeral home transport down this back country road when you see this semi start to pass. At first it?s like wow that is really rude?but suddenly he takes down his hat and turns on his headlights. Next there is another car passing turning on its lights and keeping pace with the hearse. It isn?t long till you see a couple more cars and what was once a deserted road suddenly has a precession of people, all with their lights on, all escorting the soldier?s homes. This scene was enough to bring tears to my eyes because you have out of nowhere people just coming together all showing the respect and the time to someone that truly deserves it.
This movie is beyond humbling as you hear the stories of some of what happen to ?Chance?, the PFC. How he was carefree but serious and disciplined. His heroic acts which saved his squad are unbelievably humbling. The way the people in his life talk about him and the things they have to say. I couldn?t help but think how some of us really don?t measure up to the amazing men and women that put their lives on the line for their country and our freedoms that so many take for granted. They pay the ultimate price for us every day individuals and it is a deep and powerful message that you can?t help but take with you. This isn?t an action film; it isn?t something that some Hollywood person came up with to extort money from movie goers. This is the tale of a hero, a memory of the men and women that have given and STILL give each day so we can remain free. God bless the soldiers.
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