Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001?
Well, this story comes after.
12 Strong had an early Digital release on April 10. The Blu-ray combo pack and DVD debuts on May 1.
The movie tells the declassified true story of the first American soldiers sent into Afghanistan.
They were the first boots on the ground after 9/11. Except horses were required.
HORSE SOLDIERS
The story gained traction from the popular book by Doug Stanton. It was published in 2009 and went by the title of Horse Soldiers.
The movie premiered in January. It took the second slot at the box office and couldn’t quite beat the hit known as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
12 Strong finished with a $45 million domestic gross. The worldwide tally was over $62 million.
(Yes, even Paddington 2 fared out better at the box office and with the critics.)
On a brighter note, storywise anyway, the movie brought back attention to what Doug Stanton wrote. Readers pushed the book onto the New York Times (Paperback Nonfiction) Bestseller List. It stayed on that particular list for about 15 weeks this year.
The R-rated war drama had Nicolai Fuglsig in the director’s chair. Jerry Bruckheimer shifted gears from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and along with Alcon Entertainment and Black Label Media helped with production. Of course, with many in the behind-the-scenes team.
Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon take charge of the cast. The ensemble includes Michael Peña, Trevante Rhodes, Geoff Stults, Thad Luckinbill, Austin Stowell, Ben O’Toole, Austin Hébert, Kenneth Miller, Kenny Sheard and Jack Kesy. Navid Negahban, Elsa Pataky, William Fichtner and Rob Riggle round things out.
A small band of Special Forces soldiers were sent into Afghanistan in October 2001. Their mission was to convince members of the Northern Alliance - led by a warlord - named General Abdul Rashid Dostum.
The soldiers wanted to fight alongside them against the Taliban. To overcome the mountainous terrain though, horses were needed and even necessary for battle.
VERDICT
Would I buy this film? Yes.
Is it the greatest war movie ever? I wouldn’t go that far. (Don’t think it tops Saving Private Ryan or an oldie like Kelly’s Heroes.)
12 Strong is a solid flick though. I was entertained and never felt bored.
This is probably the strongest performance - outside of the Marvel Universe - I have seen yet of Chris Hemsworth. There are very few scenes he is not featured.
I did read the book. I try not to be one of those tough book-to-movie critics - ‘Well, that scene wasn’t in the book OR they didn’t put that scene in the movie.’
Sure, the story is changed in some aspects of the screen. But the general rundown of what happened is still there.
Chris Hemsworth’s character is Captain Mitch Nelson. The inspiration for Captain Nelson is Major (Ret.) Mark Nutsch. Michael Shannon’s Hal Spencer is really Chief Warrant Officer (Ret.) Bob Pennington.
(My impression is the two soldiers preferred some anonymity when the book was initially published.)
These soldiers went into harsh, rugged and unpredictable terrain. They left their families behind. They had to adapt the tactics of the Afghans and basically go back-in-time.
The people willing to serve and their families willing to sacrifice, it is quite amazing.
12 Strong may not be the greatest war movie ever. The fact it’s based on truth is what makes it more impactful.
SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW
It’s only two segments. I found them interesting.
12 Strong: The Making of an Impossible Mission (22 minutes, 5 seconds)
- Major Mark Nutsch and Chief Warrant Officer Bob Pennington talk the movie and some about the actual mission they were on. The cast and crew also discuss the training, shoot and being involved in the film which is on a true story, of course. The usual behind-the-scenes spiel. The input from the actual soldiers is what makes this appealing.
Monumental Effort: Building America’s Response Monument (10 minutes, 13 seconds)
- There is a monument found by One World Trade Center in New York City. This is the story of how it got there.
Sculptor Douwe Blumberg discusses the creation of the bronze statue of a soldier on a horse. It looks like it makes an impression on the people who see it.
Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
Paddington Bear turned 60 in 2018.
He first appeared in 1958 within the pages of ‘A Bear Called Paddington Bear.’ The name originates from Paddington Station in London.
There are a couple cinema-style adventures, in addition to that 60-year span of books. The Blu-ray combo pack and DVD debuted on April 24 in 2018.
The author, Michael Bond, even kept writing through the years. ‘Paddington at St. Paul’s’ - the final book - is planned to be published in the summer.
Bond died in 2017. He was 91.
RARE
There may be a big debate in the merits of a rating system like Rotten Tomatoes, but moviegoers pay attention. (Films like Blade Runner 2049, Dunkirk and IT - all promoted their ‘Certified Fresh’ Tomatometer rating.)
Paddington 2 (presently) has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is a rare distinction for a movie.
This doesn’t mean every critic gave two thumbs up, five stars, or a 10/10 score. The Tomatometer analyzed all reviews and deemed them to be positive.
When negative reviews outpace the good ones, it can lead to a ‘Rotten’ rating. A movie between 60% and 75% is simply ‘Fresh.’ A movie must average above the 75% mark to be ‘Certified Fresh.’
(The first Paddington released in 2014, still stands at 98% and Certified Fresh.)
Paddington 2 proved to be popular with international audiences. The movie brought in a worldwide total of over $223 million. Only $40 million came from North America.
The PG sequel was again directed by Paul King, who also co-wrote the script.
Paddington - voiced by Ben Whishaw - has settled into life with the Brown family. Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and kids Samuel Joslin, Madeleine Harris all return from the original movie. So does, Julie Waters, as housekeeper Mrs. Bird.
Paddington sets out to find a birthday gift for his Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday. The search is anything but easy. This leads to encounters with Jim Broadbent, Brendan Gleeson, Peter Capaldi and Hugh Grant.
VERDICT
Would I buy this film? Yes.
My knowledge of the Paddington Bear books was quite limited. I don't remember if ever read one in my younger days.
Paddington feels like he is real though. It’s a testament to the cast, crew and Ben Whishaw.
Of course, this leads to the fantasy element of the story. You kind of just go with it. There are some sequences set in a prison. It turns into the easiest going and colorful prison...I have ever seen featured in a movie.
That’s ok.
Paddington 2 is simply a delight to watch. It’s cute. It’s heartfelt with some sprinkles of humour. It’s almost a guarantee to feel good by the end of the 104 minutes.
I have never seen Hugh Grant play the bad guy role before. It appears like he had a blast doing it. Prisoner Brendan Gleeson also makes an impression.
Every member of the Brown family has a moment to shine.
I bet a third Paddington movie would have a lot of pressure since the two films have been well-received.
I would watch another adventure...if there was one to be made.
SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW
The standard DVD only has the Paddington: The Bear Truth feature.
To maybe add to the mystery of Paddington, Ben Whishaw does not appear in the special features.
Paddington: The Bear Truth (5 minutes, 20 seconds)
- There’s discussion on what it’s like to act with Paddington. And some of the techniques/secrets of bringing him to screen.
How to Make A Marmalade Sandwich (2 minutes, 42 seconds)
- It’s Paddington’s Aunt Lucy’s secret recipe. It won’t be revealed here.
Music Video with Phoenix Buchanan (1 minute, 34 seconds)
- There is a musical number featured in the film, led by Hugh Grant. This is just an opportunity to rewatch it.
The Magical Mystery of Paddington’s Pop-Up Book (3 minutes, 3 seconds)
- A pop-up book plays a big part in the story. It is also one of the more visually unique sequences in the film. It gets discussed here.
The Browns and Paddington: The Special Bond (5 minutes, 43 seconds)
- This is where Hugh Bonneville had a feud working with Julie Waters. (I don’t think he’s too serious.) The cast discusses some of the changes from the first film with their characters.
Knuckles: A Fistful of Marmalade (2 minutes, 30 seconds)
- Brendan Gleeson talks about his character. The experience was fun for him.
The (Once) Famous Faces of Phoenix Buchanan (3 minutes, 45 seconds)
- Discussion on Hugh Grant’s role in the movie and the fact he was playing a washed-up actor. He was Director Paul King’s first choice for the role.
Audio Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Paul King
Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
