Warfare is directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and director Alex Garland (Civil War), and their script is based entirely by the memories of the soldiers themselves. The soldiers mentioned here are American Navy SEALs on a mission stationed in the Ramadi Province in 2006. Things go wrong, people are injured, there is chaos and damage, so the memories of those who experienced this come together to recreate the events for this film. Be aware this is not for “entertainment” purposes only. The film is very authentic, it feels as if you are right there next to them when bullets fly, and bombs explode.
Warfare will not be for everyone. It is intense and it doesn’t give you a chance to breathe. Even as I prepared to write up this review, I recalled scenes from the film I viewed at the Bob Bullock IMAX theater and I exhaled as if I was still seated for the film after watching, hearing and feeling it. I won’t try to describe it. There was an in-person Q&A with filmmakers Alex Garland, Iraq War Veteran Ray Mendoza, as well as Brian Philpot (‘Shipwreck’), Military Consultant for the film. I was very glad to have heard from them about the making of the film and how they created this story. I can speak from experience that the film remains with you long after the credits roll.
The cast is composed of young actors with established and/or developing careers in film and television. They portray the real-life American soldiers in the 2006 mission. “Reservation Dogs'” D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (portrays Ray Mendoza), Will Poulter (Death of a Unicorn, On Swift Horses) portrays Erik, Kit Connor (“Heartstopper” TV series, Rocketman) portrays young gunner Tommy, Joseph Quinn (A Quiet Place: Day One, Gladiator II) portrays Sam, Charles Melton (May December, “Riverdale” TV series) portrays Jake, Michael Gandolfini (The Many Saints of Newark, “Daredevil: Born Again” TV series) who portrays Lt. McDonald. Cosmo Jarvis (The Alto Knights, Persuasion) portrays Elliott Miller, Finn Bennett (“True Detective” and “Black Doves” TV series) portrays John, Taylor John Smith (Where the Crawdads Sing, “Sharp Objects” TV series) portrays Frank, Adain Bradley (Tarot, “The Bold and the Beautiful” TV series) portrays Sgt. Laerrus, Noah Centineo (“The Recruit” TV series, Black Adam) portrays Brian, Evan Holtzman (“Hitman”, Hidden Figures) portrays Brock, and Henrique Zaga (Queer, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The New Mutants) portrays Aaron.
Despite all the acting credits the cast may have to date, know that in this film there’s nothing to make their work appear to show off their good looks. No glamour in this mission. The young and youthful actors should remind everyone that our young men in the military are in these battle zones as you and I are writing and reading. I remain thankful for their service.
Rated R: for intense war violence and bloody/grisly images, and language throughout.
Running time: 95 minutes
Warfare opens in theaters this Friday, April 11th.
Source: A24
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