Act of Valor - Go see it

I don't normally like war, shoot 'em up movies, but when searching for a suitable movie for Eric and I to see together, I came across Act of Valor. (Side note - Eric and I have seen a total of I think four movies at the theater in our four years of being together. We just don't go to the movies together.) I didn't know much about it, but when I mentioned we were going to my parents, they confirmed they had seen it and it was great. I started to get pretty excited about seeing it! Before I get into it, let me tell you this was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, rooting for these Navy Seals to get the bad guys. The ending left me forever changed.

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From the official movie website:

"A unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original film-making, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALS in a film like no other in Hollywood's history. A fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations, Act of Valor features a gripping story that takes audiences on an adrenaline fueled, edge of their seats journey.

When a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent terrifying global threat an elite team of highly trained Navy SEALS must immediately embark on a heart stopping secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all."

The guys in this film are actual Navy SEALS. They don't even name their names in the credits. They have remained anonymous. These guys are BAD ASSES, let me tell you. It is amazing to me that these acts go on all over the world, at any moment, of any day. These guys are protecting us and we don't even know it. I am so thankful to them and their families for the sacrifices they make daily to keep all of us safe. I was blown away by their courageousness, their selflessness, and their overall bad assness. I have read some reviews saying this was not a very good movie, that the character development was poor. The actors are real Navy SEALS! They are not trained actors. Yes, you can tell that, but they did an awesome job acting.

Like I said, I think this movie has changed me. When it was over, I couldn't really speak. I just let it all soak in. It has changed my perception of the military and given me a renewed respect for the men and women who work every day to keep us safe and their families who sacrifice their loved ones. I realize how important our military is to not only our safety, but our economy and way of life as well. I have the utmost respect for them.

The definition of valor is strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery. And that is what our military does every day.

Thank you for that.