by Joe Hammerschmidt
Every year, we manage to receive a film in theaters that captures a point in history where one of the great battles of history is captured with a poignant, oftentimes genuine (non-cheesy) perceptive mood. Of course, with any niche genre, it’s always hit and miss; Dunkirk and American Soldier both hits, 13 Hours a sleep-inducing miss. The latest to enter the fray, 12 Strong: The Declassified Story of the Horse Soldiers, is lucky enough to join the win column, but just by the skin of its teeth. Unfortunate padding, to keep the film at a certain runtime, nearly disrupts the film’s general flow where the journey seems longer than is quite necessary, yet every minute is well spent, and every fight is recreated like snapshots in a photo album. Unlike the relative-in-nature Benghazi thriller from two years ago, 12 Strong instantly feels more personal, and deeper in its dynamic of a true brotherhood, between each other, and most importantly between the two countries deep in the thick of the fight: The US and Afghanistan.
Just after the September 11 attacks, the first major battle of a seemingly unending war involved 12 brave men from a combination of CIA agents and Green Berets, originating out of Kentucky’s Fort Campbell. Led by determined Capt. Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth, essentially playing a real-life Captain America), they proceed on a simple mission just to work their way into the Afghani border while on horseback, an essential first step for any war just to make that first stronghold, and do it with everyone watching, in less time than strategists would predict. An exceptional feat, even as the task went unnoticed by the public until Doug Stanton’s book (the film’s source material) gave them their proper appreciation. With seasoned warrant officer Cal (Michael Shannon, once again giving maximum effort), and sergeant Sam (Michael Peña) in tow, the titular dozen proceeds, but not without some reluctant help, in the form of rebellious Northern Alliance General Dostum (Navid Negahban). Shouldn’t come as a significant shock, he’s got his own beef with the Taliban that fuels his support to the Americans.
First-time feature director Nicolai Fuglsig and on-the-rebound producer Jerry Bruckheimer had their own mammoth task, to be loyal to the events, handled with care with Ted Tally (Silence of the Lambs) and Peter Craig’s (The Town) perceptually dramatized screenplay, and also to push an effortlessly capable ensemble cast to their absolute limits for authenticity’s sake. Filming in New Mexico provokes a certain familiarity (think Only the Brave) while giving the viewer an honest illusion of the real deal. Of course, it’s still unsafe to attempt a film project IN Afghanistan, but the right location scouting can easily trick the viewer in just the right shade.
Hemsworth is nothing short of a perfect leading man, stepping away from his busy superhero schedule to commit to a role that’s equal parts refreshing and captivating. It’s almost like you’d want to know this man as a friend, but never an enemy, if one can afford it. Aside from Shannon, and Peña (who expands his comfort zone without nary a thought), the remaining ensemble performers are just in great shape to contribute, most notably the almost unrecognizable William Fichtner, and the normally comedic Rob Riggle in an extreme, yet a satisfying departure from his standard motifs.
What it lacks in accuracy, 12 Strong makes up for in pure camaraderie, if the rest of the cast is an indicator. It’s still rather schmaltzy in scenes, but when it’s serious about the goals in place, noses are deep to the grindstone. It’s almost like Black Hawk Down met up with Bridge on the River Kwai for a responsive business meeting. A dark situation meets a can-do attitude. Like the team it builds together, it’s serious about just “bringing it home”, and possibly bringing a few tears to one’s eyes. It’s both mindful, and impactful; two things 13 Hours simply couldn’t accomplish with a director like Michael Bay, try as he might. Fuglsig, who before had just been known for overseas commercials and rap videos, makes a compassionate first outing as a feature director, pulling much, and expecting more from his actors, and of their seamless landscape. Of course, it’s always of the former where the film earns its bread, and more.
Had I personally endured a similar experience like those Horse Soldiers, it’s likely my experience with this film might’ve been heightened further. As it stands, 12 Strong succeeds its high bill, and comes back down to Earth without quite aiming so high it never returns. It feels rather by-the-numbers at spots, but the genuinity wins out, thanks in strong part to a Hemsworth lead that just wins the night, saves the day, and builds morale for the war, as it manages to continue in the background. Cheesy as this statement may sound, it’s an important reminder of one’s built-in tenacity, how soldiers in general just set the tone for an inspirational mood back home. Those audiences will dig it, Thor fans will dig it, anyone looking for one more quality war epic that doesn’t necessarily go for Nolan-esque higher-art poetry, yet is just cozy enough with its own powerful story, will be just as satisfied, when all those boots, and hooves are on the ground for that singular purpose, simply to ride. (B)
12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers opens in most area theaters this weekend; rated R for war violence and language throughout; 130 minutes
