‘Best war film since Saving Private Ryan’ now on Netflix | Films | Entertainment

A little-known war film is being hailed as the ‘best war drama since Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down and anyone worth their salt knows that’s tremendously high praise.

When it comes to the war drama genre, this film finds itself often overlooked, yet those who have watched the epic masterpiece can’t stop raving about how good it is.

Starring Mark Wahlberg in the lead, supported by Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, and Eric Bana, the film is being hailed as one of the most gritty, harrowing yet real, and emotionally moving offerings out there.

Lone Survivor is a 2013 action war drama based on the 2007 nonfiction novel of the same name, written by retired United States Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, with the help of thriller writer Patrick Robinson.

In fact, Luttrell and many other Navy SEAL veterans even acted as technical advisors on the film, alongside multiple branches of the US Armed Forces that aided in the film’s production. With all this first-hand expertise on hand, it’s no wonder viewers are lauding the film’s ‘authenticity’ and ‘realness’.

Set during the war in Afghanistan, Lone Survivor is a dramatic retelling of the United States Navy SEALs counter-insurgent mission, ‘Operation Red Wings’, which saw a four-person SEAL surveillance and reconnaissance team tasked with tracking down Taliban leader Ahmad Shah.

Written and directed by Peter Berg — who has been on the receiving end of immense acclaim for his war epic ever since its release — Lone Survivor grossed $154.8million at the global box office against a $40million budget. It was even nominated for two Oscars — Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing — at the 86th Academy Awards.

Boasting a smashing 87% audience approval rating average calculated from over 100,000 reviews, it’s safe to say Lone Survivor left an impact on viewers.

One critic said of the film, “Lone Survivor is an amazing war film that explores the idea of brotherhood and sacrifice in some of the best ways we’ve ever seen, while another reviewer wrote, “The most harrowing combat film since Saving Private Ryan.”

Yet another comparison to Saving Private Ryan by a critic stated: “Small in scale but just as intense, Lone Survivor’s extended battle recalls the opening of Steven Spielberg‘s Saving Private Ryan. like its hardy protagonists, it is determined to get the job done.”

While a separate reviewer compared it to another cult classic war epic: “Not since Mark Bowden’s Black Hawk Down has there been such a vivid account of a mission gone wrong.

“The picture may not be in contention for Oscars but it’s a first-class modern war film: visceral, exciting and thought-provoking.”

Audiences were left equally impressed, with one viewer simply saying: “Unbelievable. Movie rips your heart out.”

While another audience review says: “War, action, history, American; those are my absolute favorite movie genres and Lone Survivor delivered all of them in the most powerful way. It’s not just a war movie, it’s a raw, emotional tribute to the bravery, sacrifice, and brotherhood of those who serve. Gripping, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. Lone Survivor is a must-watch.”

Yet another fan said of the film: “My favorite film of ALL TIME! I couldn’t tell you how many times I have watched this film. The story of these soldiers is truly inspiring. Seeing what they had to go through portrayed by insanely talented actors that played their part PERFECTLY. The Directing, Acting, Casting, Editing & EVERYTHING is just excellent. If you have not seen this film. You NEED to watch it. You will truly be inspired.”

While one IMDB user review declared it was the ‘best war film since Saving Private Ryan’: “Easily the best War Movie since Saving Private Ryan, only an actual story. If you read the book and heard the interviews with the actual “lone survivor” you know that this movie got as close to the real events as possible.

“This movie is also the most visceral experience since Saving Private Ryan. After all is said and done this is a must see if there ever was one.”

Another glowing review of the movie on IMDB reads: “An emotional powerhouse film. This film is as good as Black Hawk Down and Saving Private Ryan, it is absolutely worth seeing on the big screen and I highly recommend it.”

Lone Survivor is available to stream on Netflix.