12 Strong Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Thor and his buddies, fresh from Asgardian battles, trade in their hammers for horses and head to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, proving once and for all that everything is better with Hemsworth.

🍿 12 Strong: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Aftermath of 9/11 and the Call to Action

Following the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, Captain Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth) is eager to lead his Special Forces team into Afghanistan. He lobbies his superiors, despite having limited combat experience, driven by a strong sense of duty and a desire to retaliate against those responsible. His determination and the support of his veteran Chief Warrant Officer Hal Spencer (Michael Shannon) secure him the command.

Forging Alliances in Afghanistan

Nelson’s team, ODA 595, is deployed to Afghanistan and tasked with working alongside the Northern Alliance, led by the enigmatic General Abdul Rashid Dostum (Navid Negahban). They must learn to navigate the complex political landscape and earn the trust of Dostum, a seasoned warrior distrustful of outsiders. The initial skepticism and cultural differences present significant challenges to their mission’s success. The team must adapt to the rugged terrain and unconventional warfare tactics.

Horseback Warfare and Shifting Dynamics

The American soldiers, accustomed to modern weaponry and tactics, find themselves having to fight on horseback alongside Dostum’s forces. This adaptation forces them to rely on Dostum’s expertise and local knowledge. As they engage in battles against the Taliban, Nelson and Dostum’s relationship evolves from one of distrust to mutual respect. The success of their joint operations hinges on their ability to overcome cultural barriers and conflicting strategies. The Americans begin using air support to devastating effect on the Taliban, proving their worth to Dostum.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Captain Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth): The inexperienced but determined captain of ODA 595, leading his team into Afghanistan after 9/11.
• Hal Spencer (Michael Shannon): The seasoned Chief Warrant Officer who postpones retirement to assist Captain Nelson and the ODA 595 team.
• Sam Diller (Michael Peña): The intelligence Sergeant First Class of ODA 595 who provides crucial support during the mission.
• General Dostum (Navid Negahban): The Afghan warlord who partners with ODA 595, guiding them through the terrain and providing crucial manpower against the Taliban.
• Lt. Colonel Bowers (Rob Riggle): The commander of 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group who reluctantly gives Nelson command of 595.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Colonel Mulholland: “The most important thing you take into battle, is the reason why.” – Emphasizing the significance of their mission and the emotional drive behind it.
• General Dostum: “Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires.” – Dostum warns Nelson of the historical challenges of fighting in Afghanistan.
• General Dostum: “You have the heart of a warrior, but you must learn to be a killer.” – Dostum critiques Captain Nelson early in their relationship, questioning his battlefield readiness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $45,819,713
• Worldwide Gross: $67,359,190

💥 12 Strong Reviews

Personal Review

I thought 12 Strong was a solid war film. The action sequences were intense and kept me on the edge of my seat, especially the cavalry charge. It was great to see a story about the early days of the Afghanistan War and the sacrifices made by those soldiers. While it might not be the most nuanced portrayal of the conflict, it’s a thrilling and respectful tribute to their bravery. The scenery was amazing, as well!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of war movies and military history”
  • “Those interested in stories of heroism and camaraderie”
  • “Viewers who appreciate films based on true events”
  • “Fans of Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Peña”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense war violence and battle scenes”
  • “Some graphic images of casualties”
  • “Themes of war and terrorism may be disturbing for some viewers”
  • “Occasional strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Rama’s Screen: “”12 STRONG has some of the most hardcore battle scenes in any war movie. It’s soldiers carrying weapons while riding horses, that definitely makes this one unique…The movie does a good job of emphasizing the reason why a group like the Taliban needs to be eliminated, it does a good job of pumping us up to keep rooting for the good guys to win. What a helluva film to honor those courageous horse soldiers.”
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While it tells an undeniably compelling story, 12 Strong struggles to find depth beyond its thrilling action sequences, resulting in a fairly standard war movie experience.
• Common Sense Media: “Explosive war drama is intense but jingoistic. The movie has impressive action sequences, but be prepared for heavy combat violence and some patriotic zeal.

Audience Reactions

The horse warfare was a uniquely captivating aspect of the film.: Most viewers praised the movie’s intense action sequences and found it a respectful tribute to the real soldiers.

Some called it propaganda; others called it patriotism.: Viewers were split on the movie’s portrayal of the conflict, with many feeling it was overly simplistic and biased, while others found it inspiring and patriotic.

Overall Consensus: 12 Strong delivers thrilling action sequences and a respectful tribute to the soldiers, but some viewers find it lacks depth and presents a biased perspective on the conflict.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rob Riggle, who plays Lt. Colonel Bowers, actually served under the real Max Bowers during his time in the Marines. Riggle has stated that Bowers ‘loved’ his representation in the film.”
• “The film is based on the book ‘Horse Soldiers’ by Doug Stanton, which tells the true story of the ODA 595 team.”
• “Filming took place primarily in New Mexico, chosen for its landscape similarities to Afghanistan.”

🖥️ How to Watch 12 Strong?

12 Strong is currently available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options and availability. Subscription services like Netflix and Hulu do not currently offer 12 Strong.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed 12 Strong, you might like these similar films:

• Lone Survivor (2013): Both films depict the harrowing experiences of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan and are based on true stories.
• Black Hawk Down (2001): Shares a focus on intense combat situations and the challenges faced by American soldiers in a foreign, hostile environment.
• Zero Dark Thirty (2012): Another depiction of a post-9/11 military operation with a focus on the hunt for key terrorist leaders.
• Act of Valor (2012): Features active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs and portrays realistic combat scenarios in the war on terror.

🛒 12 Strong Related Products

• Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan: The book that inspired the movie, offering a deeper dive into the real-life events and the soldiers’ experiences.
• 12 Strong [Blu-ray]: Watch the movie in high-definition quality, with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Chris Hemsworth Autographed 12 Strong Movie Poster: A rare and valuable collectible item, signed by the lead actor of the film.
• Action Figures Special Forces: Recreate epic battles and display your passion with quality crafted detailed army figurines.

🎧 Soundtrack

12 Strong features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Girls of Rock n Roll” – performed by Alvin and The Chipmunks
• “Unknown Score” – performed by Lorne Balfe

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Afghan War Veteran Rates 9 Afghanistan War Battles In Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider

Wondering how realistic the war scenes in “12 Strong” are? This video has an Afghan War veteran break down the tactics and strategies used in the movie and share his thoughts on how well they reflect real-life combat.

GREEN BERETS Breakdown 12 Strong | Beers and Breakdowns

Ever wondered what real Green Berets think of the military tactics in “12 Strong”? Check out this video where they break down the movie, sharing their professional perspectives and giving us a glimpse into the real world of special forces operations.

The Secret Horse Soldiers of Afghanistan

Want to know the true story behind the “12 Strong” movie? This documentary dives into the fascinating history of the real horse soldiers who rode into battle in Afghanistan.

✨ Rate