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Jan 24, 2018richmole rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This is a good one--I'll remember this movie long after I've forgotten dozens of others, many of them "must see", "major" movies. I promise: no spoilers...so keep reading. This is a must-see for all the right reasons. First: it grips the viewer from the very beginning. Second: the tension never lets up from then on. I mean "life-and-death" tension. When a soldier stands up, you think: Jeez, get down you jerk! You're gonna die! Third: the way the "enemy" is treated...and the backstories of BOTH protagonists. Fourth: the ending is stunning (more about that a few lines from now.) It's proof you don't need big-name stars (one of the two feature players is a pro wrestler, for Gawd's sake), big budgets (this one's minor, at $10 million) or on-location filming. You don't need music, either. What you need is a good story with a terrific twist, well-made...with a scalpel, not a hammer. This movie is remarkable for these reasons: 1. The feature began as the first "spec" script purchased by amazon. Great decision! 2. The director wanted to shoot in the ME, but "safety" concerns kept the shoot in western US desert. Maybe budget concerns, too. However, an Iraq-war vet hired as consultant said the setting was right. A bit of old-time Hollywood! 3. Original cut had a different ending. After receiving pre-release screening comments, Director Doug Liman (Bourne Identity; Edge of Tomorrow) went back to Amazon, cap-in-hand, and said "we gotta reshoot"--and got more money to do it! Another Great decision! 4. Movie has made nice money: over TEN TIMES it's low-budget cost. Word's spread. close to 150 people waiting to rent this. Be another.