by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
In a dangerous profession such as being in the military, there are plenty of things to worry about — not all situations are the same. But one of the most frightening situations a soldier can find themselves in is falling behind enemy lines. This intense scenario is the anchoring narrative of Valiant One. When a group of soldiers are stranded in North Korea… things get a little crazy.
Does Valiant One deliver a compelling and engaging story? The runtime is only a lean, mean 82 minutes (quite short, especially for a war film), and it does not include many twists or turns. The setup is simple and straightforward, but it does set the stage for intense shootouts and thrilling moments. The script (along with Daniel Myrick and Eric Tipton, co-written by director Steve Barnett) gives the audience a little time with our characters before the mission, and sets up solid character work. There are three characters who anchor the film, tension arises due to their differing opinions on how to navigate their situation. Yet again, not particularly rich and full of depth, but there is solid, well-realized tension and drama for the audience to latch onto. Some emotional beats and the incorporation of the innocent getting caught in the crossfire make the film narratively solid. That is enough to sell what this film is going for.
Barnett’s direction has a looseness in its structure, as the characters journey from point A to point B. But he stays consistent with the atmosphere at least. This is a serious film with emotional weight and potential, meant to be an inspiring story of perseverance as well as community. Barnett delivers on that, even when there was potential to be more cynical. This unshakability in messaging and tone is one of the film’s biggest strengths. There are some rock-solid moments of staging in shootout and action sequences that deliver well enough for a film that is obviously made on a smaller and more frugal budget. Valiant One is not the most memorable war thriller, but it does have its heart in the right place.
So does the cast deliver as well? Chase Stokes has a young leading man vibe to him, with a bit of charm and cockiness that slowly dissipates thanks to his harrowing experience. Lana Condor gives a strong performance that features both toughness and vulnerability. Her performance opens when the film puts its central team in a situation where they must defend a family seeking asylum. Desmin Borges is the only other cast member who gets significant screen time and focus. He delivers a bit of a manic performance that highlights his fear and willingness to surrender and hope for the best. All three performers are responsible for most of the film’s tension and emotional roots, and they work well together.
Valiant One isn’t really the kind of big, sprawling war film that used to dominate the cinematic landscape, but it doesn’t need to be, as it is a much more intimate and closed off story. The actors, the direction, and the writing find the right tone and structure to make this lean flick an engrossing and inspiring experience.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
Valiant One is currently playing in theaters
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