{"id":1922,"date":"2018-03-13T18:26:35","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T17:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-12-strong\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T18:38:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T16:38:48","slug":"review-12-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-12-strong\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: 12 Strong"},"content":{"rendered":"

September 11, 2001, remains a pivotal date in contemporary memory. While numerous films have addressed the events of that day, 12 Strong<\/strong> ventures into the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth)<\/strong>, reassigned to a desk job, decides to return to active duty following the attacks. Successfully petitioning for a new assignment, he is tasked with leading the first American detachment into Afghanistan. Nelson and his team of twelve must locate and collaborate with General Dostum (Navid Negahban)<\/strong>, a local warlord. This mission, however, encounters significant challenges.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, 12 Strong<\/strong> struggles to maintain audience engagement. The film portrays twelve soldiers as stereotypical “macho” figures reminiscent of action films like Aliens: The Return<\/strong>. This characterization, while perhaps suitable for science fiction, feels out of place within a factually based narrative. The film anticipates a moment of reckoning for these soldiers upon confronting the realities of their mission in Afghanistan, but their exaggerated bravado only intensifies, reaching almost comical levels. The image of soldiers riding horseback, wielding automatic rifles, further contributes to this sense of artificiality.<\/p>\n

While the film’s portrayal might reflect actual events, its authenticity is questionable. A persistent issue is the lack of tangible threat. Despite frequent assertions of the mission’s danger, the film fails to convey a genuine sense of peril. It’s possible that the real-life soldiers possessed a similar degree of perceived invincibility and benefited from extraordinary luck.<\/p>\n

Director Nicolai Fuglsig<\/strong>‘s previous work, Exfil<\/a>, offers limited insight into his directorial capabilities. His relatively sudden emergence as the director of this technically ambitious and expensive film raises questions. The direction lacks a distinct vision, and the narrative fails to resonate effectively.<\/p>\n

Chris Hemsworth, recognized since his early role in Star Trek<\/strong> (2009) for his charisma and ability to elevate even the more conventional Marvel character of Thor, delivers a surprisingly unremarkable performance. His presence is unable to salvage the film from its overall shortcomings.<\/p>\n

Michael Shannon<\/strong>, typically known for his portrayal of antagonists, plays the more experienced Hal Spencer<\/strong>. This character presents a narrative inconsistency, as Spencer’s greater knowledge and experience are never leveraged to challenge the decisions of Hemsworth’s less seasoned leader.<\/p>\n

Navid Negahban, known for his role as Abu Nazir in Homeland<\/strong>, portrays General Dostum. Regrettably, his character remains underdeveloped, despite Negahban’s efforts.<\/p>\n

Technically, the film features competent cinematography and sound design, with some well-executed action sequences. However, the lack of character development prevents any meaningful emotional investment in the depicted battles. The film struggles to elicit genuine empathy for the soldiers or the civilian population, resulting in a detached viewing experience. A more compelling alternative is Lone Survivor<\/strong> with Mark Whalberg<\/strong>. When a wooden horse conveys more emotion than most of the actors, the film’s weaknesses become readily apparent.<\/p>\n

12 Strong<\/em> recounts a classified mission with the potential for a compelling cinematic adaptation. However, a weak script and uninspired direction undermine the efforts of a talented cast, preventing the film from realizing its full potential.<\/p>\n