Critics accuse “Pearl Harbor,” “Black Hawk Down” and other military-focused films of being tired, cliched and unrealistic, but there’s no denying that these movies hold great audience appeal. Such was certainly the case for “Act of Valor,” which received an impressive A rating from market research firm CinemaScore. This incredibly positive audience response to the first “Act of Valor” film did not go unnoticed, which is why Relatively Media is returning with a much-anticipated sequel.
“Act of Valor”: The Premise
Utilizing the talent and expertise of the very military groups it portrays, “Act of Valor” delves into the mysterious world of the Navy SEALs, who are called into action when CIA member rescue leads to the unearthing of a vast terrorist plot. The plot, if successful, could lead to the deaths of thousands of civilians. Unfortunately, the terrorist group proves a deadly match for the group of Navy SEALs in charge of their takedown, offering yet another complication every time members of the U.S. forces appear to have taken a step forward. Further complicating this already charged setup is the presence of deep-seated conflict surrounding the balancing of Navy members’ all-important careers with the families and friends they’ve left at home.
Navy SEALs’ Participation In “Act of Valor”
Despite what some of the critics may allege, “Act of Valor” is not just another war film. It turned the entire movie genre on its head by casting actual Navy SEALs so as to more accurately portray the realities of true warfare. To further add to this realistic portrayal, Relativity Media teamed up with identity theft protection company, LifeLock, creating a setup most worthy of the film’s real-life premise.
Relativity Media placed plenty of importance on the creation of a realistic film, though this served as only one of many goals the film aimed to achieve. Producers showed far more interest surrounding the difficult task of recruiting new talent for the Navy. In fact, this endeavor received backing from the Pentagon, including exclusive commissioning through the Navy’s Special Warfare Command. Clearly, the recruitment effort proved successful, for why else would the Pentagon seek the release of a follow-up film?
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Menzie via Wikimedia Commons
What Can We Expect From The “Act of Valor” Sequel?
As with the original, “Act of Valor 2” will employ the efforts of real-life Navy SEALs, leaving their names out of the credits so as to better protect their identities. This time, the focus will shift to SWAT team members, with “The Condemned” genius, Scott Wiper, taking the reigns as the screenwriter and director. Action sequences will surely require the bulk of the film’s attention, as these were the portions most responsible for garnering audience delight (and eventual military recruits) the first time around. Although the first “Act of Valor” received decidedly poor reviews in terms of plot and character development, with Scott Wiper at the helm, this may no longer be a problem for the franchise. Expect plenty of great action and further revelations about our armed forces in the brand new “Act of Valor” sequel.