After Peter Berg directed the big-budget catastrophe Battleship, many avid filmgoers thought his future directing major films was sunk. But he had an ace up his sleeve; a true story about soldiers surviving a mission like no other. With Mark Wahlberg and Battleship-actor Taylor Kitsch on the roster, nobody knew how his next project, Lone Survivor, would fare, but it’s fascinating plot makes it an interesting film to say the least.

Marcus (Wahlberg), Matt (Ben Foster), Danny (Emile Hirsch) and Michael (Taylor Kitsch) are sent in on a special mission that places them in close proximity to various members of the Taliban. The mission seems to be doable at first, but upon being spotted by some citizens (an old man and his children respectively), they realize that they have been compromised and need to get out of the area immediately. The only problem: communication with their base is impossible, and a multitude of Taliban soldiers are beginning to surround them.

The plot at the center of this film is an intense one that fits not just the art of cinema, but also as a tribute to the brave men and women on the front lines. Wahlberg and Berg have made no secret their admiration for the troops, and it comes through in the film, especially in the films opening and closing montages, the latter being particularly emotionally trying.

In addition to being respectful to the film’s subject, Berg also does a fine job directing the picture, with several violent scenes being shot in a way that makes sure to emphasize the bravery and tragedy the four protagonists are enduring (although he does make use of shaky-cam, which I just cannot excuse considering how wonderfully the rest of the films action scenes are done).

On the other hand, the script is extremely clunky, especially in the first act, when it feels like we’re just spinning our wheels until we get to the soldiers off to their mission. It doesn’t help that all four main characters (all played by people capable of fantastic acting I might add) are saddled with some truly atrocious dialogue in this segment of the picture, a problem that even reappears in some of the film’s best moments towards the end. Still, while there may have been some trouble getting the film started, it must be said that the finale of this film is spellbounding stuff and has one particularly emotional moment that will make any audience member (namely me) get choked up.

It’s got plenty of flaws, in particular the handling of Hirsch’s character during the film’s more intense scenes, but Lone Survivor is a movie I still heartily recommend due to how well done many aspects of the film are. Wahlberg gives a terrific performance, many scenes are gloriously directed and the film contains terrific moments of tribute to the people who protect this country every day. Aside from script, Emile Hirsch and shaky-cam issues, I’d call Lone Survivor an intense experience worth catching.