Act of Valor is a tribute to U.S. Navy SEALs, people who place themselves in harm’s way to protect us from foreign adversaries.  It shows its men (no women) as hard-training, family-oriented warriors who kiss their loved ones goodbye prior to each mission, which is when they ruthlessly, efficiently and stealthily (if possible) murder people seen as national security threats.  Having stopped a nefarious plan (in this case suicide bombers targeting U.S. cities) they return home bruised, bloodied or, occasionally, killed themselves.

Unfortunately, this is a rather one-dimensional portrait of these brave folks.  The film by Scott Waugh and Mouse (Mike) McCoy is heavy on armament specs and blazing firefights but its human drama is stilted and awkward.  Part of this is due to having actual SEALs assume lead roles, and the understandable lack of polish that they bring as actors.  Part is due to a clichéd script that not only uses many tired (yet sincere) points regarding duty, honor and family, but then has this one group of SEALs travel the world in just days to counter the bomb threat.  It seems that nobody else is either available or capable to help repel the suicide bombers, and international boundaries and coalitions are irrelevant, just getting in the way of the action.

In short, this is like a vintage Chuck Norris movie from the 1980s, but without a central stud to carry the dramatic weight.  The film definitely packs a punch in terms of its visuals (I loved the aerial shots of a submarine just before it surfaces, for instance) and its action, which is harrowing at times.  Watching the professional SEALs do their thing is impressive, even if the battles are staged.  But even this is unsatisfactory, when, at the end, the story ends abruptly, even though combatants are seen to escape down the tunnels toward America.  Action fans will thrill to its firepower, its sharp, precise detail and, yes, its excess, but viewers wanting an actual story will be disappointed.  ✰ ✰.  29 March 2012.