In his highly anticipated 2024 action-drama, Civil War, British director Alex Garland presents a haunting vision of a dystopian America plagued by violence and conflict. While the film resonates with contemporary issues, it falls short in delivering a politically charged narrative, leaving some viewers questioning its world-building. However, the film does excel in its depiction of chaos through visceral and terrifying action sequences.
For the battle scenes in Civil War, Garland collaborated closely with military adviser Ray Mendoza, a former U.S. Navy SEAL known for his expertise in the war drama Lone Survivor and the popular video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. This partnership has continued in their latest project, Warfare, where the two co-wrote and co-directed a film based on a real incident from the Iraq War in November 2006. This gripping narrative chronicles a routine mission that spiraled out of control for Mendoza and his fellow SEALs.
Warfare is crafted entirely from the memories of Mendoza and his comrades, intentionally omitting broader contextual elements of the war. The film aims to immerse the audience in the lives of soldiers, offering a raw and authentic experience of modern combat. The story commences at night when a squad of SEALs infiltrates a two-story apartment building in Ramadi, a known stronghold for Al Qaeda insurgents. As dawn breaks, the team sets up a surveillance operation, but the intricacies of their mission remain shrouded in ambiguity, heightening the tension.
The cast features notable actors such as Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Michael Gandolfini, and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who portrays the young Mendoza, drawing from his experience in the series Reservation Dogs. However, the film deliberately minimizes character backstories; the SEALs do not engage in banter or share personal anecdotes, which defies typical cinematic tropes. This choice emphasizes their functionality as a cohesive and highly trained unit, rather than as individual personalities.
As the SEALs await their orders, one sniper, Elliott, played by Cosmo Jarvis, remains vigilant, aiming his rifle at a suspected insurgent hideout. Suddenly, chaos erupts when an unseen enemy drops a grenade into their location, revealing that their presence has been compromised. Given the plethora of war films like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Saving Private Ryan, and The Hurt Locker, it is a considerable challenge for Warfare to present a fresh perspective on the soldier's experience. However, it excels by delivering a level of realism that transcends previous portrayals of combat.
Much of the film unfolds in real-time, with the SEALs enduring agonizing waits for armored vehicles to extract them from danger. Garland and Mendoza are unafraid to slow the pacing, allowing the tension to build to unbearable heights. The second half of Warfare is both excruciating and captivating, showcasing graphic depictions of an IED explosion and the resulting casualties. Unlike many war films that often shy away from the grim realities of combat, Warfare embraces the brutality, leaving a haunting impression of the soldiers' anguished cries lingering in the viewer's mind.
Critics of Warfare may argue that its narrow focus inhibits deeper insight into the complexities of war, a critique also directed at The Hurt Locker, often heralded as one of the best American dramas about the Iraq War. However, such criticisms may overlook the film's subtle political commentary. Garland and Mendoza skillfully avoid jingoism and false heroics, depicting acts of bravery without glorification. They consistently remind viewers that American soldiers represent a hostile force within the landscape of Iraq.
Throughout the film, we glimpse Iraqi families cowering in fear within the same apartment building where the SEALs are stationed. Additionally, we see insurgents firing from nearby rooftops, prompting reflection on the broader implications of the conflict. One can't help but ponder the narrative that could emerge from the perspective of these civilians, devoid of traditional clichés.
Warfare not only serves as a compelling critique of typical war films but also leaves audiences contemplating the narratives yet to be told. By focusing on the harrowing realities of modern combat and the human experience within it, Garland and Mendoza have crafted a film that resonates deeply, challenging viewers to reflect on the complexities of war and its lasting impact.
