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Reviews
SEAL Team: Backwards in High Heels (2019)
A switch off
I'll just reiterate what 90% have already said (the other 10% are dreamers);
I've enjoyed the series up until now, a nice bit off escapism - even though in reality Jason Hayes' ego would have had the whole team killed by the end of season 1 episode 2. Apparently a Seal Team leader can usurp any level of command, wing it with a plan hatched off the top of his head in seconds (forgivable in the name of drama I suppose) but in this episode (unforgivable) walk in to an ongoing SAS hostage rescue (aircraft) operation, for which they invented the very flexible tactics and make the SAS team leader (intentionally played by an actor with the voice and charisma of a cardboard Rupert) look totally inept. Talk about stereotyping.
Obviously the series has some expert input here and there, as some of the language and fieldcraft is pretty convincing. I would imagine that some of those advisors get pretty frustrated though when they see the actual context of the completed episodes.
I know this is fiction folks, but writers of this episode, Holly Harold & Dana Greenblatt really do need a reality pill to get back to somewhere close to being believable. Why can't the series dynamics be a little more like 'Act of Valor' a superb film played by real Navy Seals, without the bravado, now that really was enjoyable.
Hold the Dark (2018)
You needed to read the book to comprehend the plot
I hadn't read the book and only now understand the background storyline having read a few of the helpful reviews below. Personally I found the performances, atmosphere, directing and photography etc to be very convincing, beautiful and well done. However, in my opinion, a film should be able to adequately communicate the entire plot and to do the book justice. In this respect, although there are vague references, it largely fails to do so and yet I'm sure would have been easy to achieve with a short scene. If I was the author of the book I would have been a little disappointed.
For me the film also fails to satisfactorily explain the extraordinary bond between Vernon and Cheeon (over and above Cheeon's previous tragic loss), which basically results in a stand-off with the local lawmen and subsequently a bloodbath.