Movie Review: Act of Valor

Act of Valor has garnered poor critical reviews but positive audience ratings and good press on lots of the blogs read by Southern Man so he gambled a Hamilton and dragged a friend to see it. The film used real-live SEALs instead of actors and the production had the full cooperation of the Navy, which results in some painful dialog but tremendous action scenes. Southern Man read somewhere that the SEALS set up the action just like they would on an actual mission, told the director what they were going to do, and then the director determined how to do the camera work. The result is pretty intense. And it does a Southern Man good to watch the best of the best kick enemy ass. As low-budget action films go this one is a lot of fun even though the plot is so predictable that you know who's going to die at the end within the first ten minutes.

The film ends with Chief Tecumseh's poem "Live Your Life" (which is also attributed to Wabasha, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Wovoka) and it's worth repeating here.

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and Its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

Amen.