Warfare
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️(out of 5 stars)
One description of Alex Garland’s Civil War was how immersive and visceral an effect it had on its audience. Yet, this believably imagined conflict within the United States was a work of fiction that strummed the strings of the divisive nature of American society. His next project takes this riveting style and applies it to the real-life memories of Iraqi War veterans who fought alongside former U.S. Navy SEAL and co-director Ray Mendoza.
His screenplay placed a platoon of SEALS in a crucible atmosphere on the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. The men are sent on reconnaissance work for US Marines working through this area of the country. A mission that contains the tension of waiting in a potential powderkeg while the men use an Iraqi family’s home as cover. Until they realise they must evacuate the home. However, they are attacked as they attempt to make their escape. Everything that follows leaves the SEALS exposed, injured and traumatised as they do all they can to salvage the mission and get back to the base with as few injuries as possible.
On the same level as The Hurt Locker, Fury and 1917, this immersive POV-style wartime film will penetrate your soul. A true-to-life experience that shows that there are no actual victors in war. There may be heroes and courage in the face of danger demonstrated in this film, but along with these celebrated traits come the realities of fear, trauma and injury. Ray Mendoza’s reenactment of actual events serves more as a warning against war than to entertain audiences. The quality of storytelling is undeniable as Mendoza and Garland masterfully share the claustrophobic and terrifying events through stellar cinematography, sound design and performances from each cast member.
The who’s who of young and upcoming talent proves that their individual performances can complement an ensemble instead of distracting from the film’s overall purpose. Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, and Noah Centineo work as a unit and epitomise the camaraderie of these sailors. D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai takes on Mendoza’s role in the excursion and anchors the incident that explodes and implodes around the men. Each performance shows how every character had a role and was affected by the battle differently. Warfare exposes the importance of men's camaraderie as it tears back the realities of the horrors of war that last a lifetime for all involved.
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Reel Dialogue: The world is broken
After watching Warfare, you might want to listen to the God in 60 Seconds episode - What is God doing about this mess?
If you would like to discuss topics from this film and the Bible. Reach out to us at Third Space. We would love to chat about this and more.
