Strong” Doesn’t Quite Live-Up to Title

By JACKSON MURPHY Staff Writer

At one point in “12 Strong,” Michael Shannon’s character says: “It’s a hell of a thing we do. How do you leave your family and go to war?” It’s an honest, but simplistic lineand that kind of sums up this well-intentioned but all too familiar film.

“12 Strong” tells the true, declassified story of the “Horse Soldiers,” a team of U.S. Army Special Forces. Just 5 weeks after the 9/11 attacks, they went into Afghanistan to track down and engage the Taliban, often riding and fighting on horseback. Captain Mitch Nelson (played by Chris Hemsworth) is the team’s leader.

Fellow members include Sam, a former history teacher (Michael Pena) and Ben (Trevante Rhodes). They have no idea how long the mission will be. Captain Mitch thinks they will get in, defeat the enemy, and be back home with their families in three weeks.

Rob Riggle, in a supporting role, plays Max Bowers, one of the officers overseeing the mission. Bowers was Riggle’s real-life commanding officer when the actor served in Afghanistan from 2001-2002.

The screenplay for “12 Strong” is very explanatory. Characters are constantly informing each other (and us) about what’s going on and what