“Act of Valor” is a film that many critics will not enjoy, but most audiences will. It “stars” 8 active duty Navy Seals. It came about because the film started out as a recruiting and public information movie being made by the Navy. It was then transformed into a feature film by directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh, who felt that a realistic story of Seal missions should be made that featured the men who actually qualify for this most difficult of military branches.

I have to admit to my own prejudice, having served in the United States Navy. That said, I believe  ”Act of Valor” will be impressive to anyone who has ever wondered how the Seals rescue hostages, capture the world’s most notorious terrorists and execute a wide variety of missions that would seemingly be impossible.

The storyline in “Act of Valor” involves a hostage retrieval and a chase to avoid a major terrorist plot. The script also shows a little of the personal side of a Seal’s life and their families, in addition to the price some Seals have to pay involving serious injury and death.

Although much of what you see in “Act of Valor” from an operational perspective may seem quite sophisticated, the DOD and the Navy have “scrubbed” the film to make certain no classified tactical elements are compromised.

“Act of Valor” is well worth experiencing. It is exciting, realistic and a fascinating peek at a military service that operates under the absolute cloak of secrecy.