Operation: 12 Strong

This year's second visit to the cinema. Another modern war flick set in Afghanistan, where a 12-strong group of soldiers are tasked with taking down the Taliban with the help of an Afghan warlord. In terms of the cast, the film is packed: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña, and for a debut it has very solidly executed action scenes, with explosions like Michael Bay, plenty of rawness and the combination of horses with M4s against tanks has something going for it. I'm not as intense as 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, but still a decent affair that I enjoyed in the cinema. 75% (30.01.2018)

For those who have no clue about the realism of the story, they might immediately label the film with a Boo! rating (I would have been among them). However, according to experts, the film is considered one of the most credibly made based on a true event. The cast is quite decent; at first, I didn’t believe Hemsworth in his role, as I kept seeing Thor in him, but over time I got used to him (his gritty and deep voice definitely helps with the credibility of his role as a military captain). I liked that the film also addresses the local general and his motivation against the Taliban, striving to portray his vastly different nature and the harsh life in Afghanistan. The combat scenes are high-quality; even Michael Bay would have to give a thumbs up for the monstrous explosions. It’s almost surprising that all twelve characters survived; those attacks on horseback against tanks and infantry could almost be seen as a clear suicide, but with a good dose of luck and the help of local warriors, they managed to achieve the incredible feat of staying alive. It had some script shortcomings and overly sentimental scenes, but overall it resulted in a decent war film. I give it 73%. (05.08.2018)

Thor and General Zod on horseback against the Taliban. A well-made, textbook example of a movie, but nothing more. No personal angle. In his debut, Fuglsig offers nothing extra. It’s simply glorification of the American way of making war (let’s drop bombs no them). But the horse vs. tank action scenes are well-made and raw. Just a shame that we don’t learn much about the Uzbek general. (19.02.2020)

This time, Vinnetou and Old Shatterhand fight together against evil tribes far away in Afghanistan, supported by spectacular, visually elaborate Bruckheimer-like effects. At times a parody, at times a poorly made war film. If it's really based on a true story, then it deserves a much more raw, believable treatment. (21.04.2018)