Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I was deployed as a Combat Engineer in Baghdad with the 1st Cav division Feb 04 - Feb 05. I found this movie was very Hollywood. They did a nice selection in the location of the film as it did look a lot like Baghdad. However, the story line was too flawed. I was a bit confused why the soldiers were wearing ACU uniforms as, while I was there, those were not issued. The film supposedly was taking place in 2004. Soldiers were still wearing the DCU uniforms in 2004. I was highly disturbed by the portrayal of the main character having no accountability. He seemed to go where ever he wanted, when ever he wanted and did what ever he wanted without having to answer to a higher commander. This of course, any veteran, anyone in the military, will tell you simply does not happen. There is always someone that you have to answer to for your actions. When he snuck off of post to find Beckhams father was just absurd and pure Hollywood. I was disturbed by the scene with the team of EOD guys drinking. Alcohol was forbidden and still is. Of course there were many soldiers who obtained alcohol, but by and large, most did not drink. To see an entire "team" sharing booze together just was not very realistic. The team also always seemed to operate independently. They never seemed to be with anyone else and never had support. Watching the three of them clear a building by themselves was silly. Why was ther enever any supporting infantry units? They traveled by themselves in a lone hummer. In 2004, if I remember correctly, we were not allowed outside the wire unless we were in a convoy of at least 3 vehicles. All in all, this was a pure Hollywood film and certainly does not live up to the billing as being the most "realistic" Iraq war movie so far.