Warfare (2025) - Drops You Right in the Middle of a Battle

I knew going in that this was going to be a very realistic account of a battle going in. I knew it was going to be focused on the realism, for better or worse. I honestly didn't know if that would be good or bad.

In the end it's a mix of both.

It starts with a small group of soldiers infiltrating a house in a city in the Middle East. They take over the house, holding the residents in a room while they set up a sniper to observe action down the street. We watch how they simply sit/stand around and wait for something or anything to happen. 

In that capacity, it's great because you finally see the procedures, focus, and overall professionalism these young men have to have. Their lives are on the line, and you can feel the training ooze out of them. Yes, it's boring, but that's the point. 

Finally the team is made and shots are fired. The majority of the film takes place from inside, so you don't see who they are shooting back at for the entire film. They try to escape, and that's when things get nasty. 

The violence is real, and the warfare itself feels legit. It hit the notes I expected. So why did I like it but not love it? I was expecting a movie, not a documentary. I didn't connect to anyone—frankly, I didn't even catch anyone's name for the most part. There were a couple of hotheads and one guy who seemed a little overwhelmed, but in general, everyone sort of blended together.

A random stranger's opinion - If you want to see what these soldiers go through, it's perfect. If you're looking for a movie that has a story that shows more emotion and feelings, I'd go watch Black Hawk Down.

Grade: C+