12 STRONG

12 STRONG has the makings of a great war movie. Its patriotism, loyalty, and commitment are extraordinary, and its final battle is thrilling enough to justify much of the journey. The story’s horse-soldier setup also gives it the feel of an old-fashioned western, with American forces facing tanks and artillery on horseback.

But the film meanders through lengthy leave-taking and family-separation material. More seriously, it contains 55 obscenities and 30 profanities, including many uses of Jesus Christ’s name in vain. Its theological world is also one-sided: Muslim references to Allah dominate, while the American soldiers mostly use God’s name as a curse.

The movie has real merit, but it is not suitable for children or young teens. Discerning adults may find the final battle and the soldiers’ courage worth the trip.

After the September 11 attacks, Captain Mitch Nelson leaves his family to reassemble his 12-man Special Forces team. Their mission takes them to Afghanistan, where they must work with General Abdul Rashid Dostum, a local warlord opposed to the Taliban.

With only six horses to accompany them, the team faces a difficult campaign against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces. Their American air power gives them an advantage, but the soldiers still must fight alongside unfamiliar allies in an almost impossible mission.

Three stars means 12 STRONG is a solid but uneven war movie. Its strongest material is the final battle, in which American soldiers on horseback face tanks and artillery. The film also presents the team’s patriotism, loyalty, and commitment with extraordinary force.

The movie loses momentum in its long opening passages about leaving for war and family separation. It also spends too much time establishing its premise before reaching the combat that gives the film its energy. The result could have been great but instead remains a worthwhile, meandering drama.

12 STRONG presents a strong moral worldview, with patriotic values and a clear condemnation of the Taliban and al-Qaeda. It emphasizes courage, valor, loyalty, and the willingness of soldiers to commit themselves to a dangerous mission. The film also portrays the execution of a female teacher by a Muslim leader because she teaches children history and math, presenting the Taliban’s oppression of women as evil.

The film’s theological framework is much less balanced. Many invocations of God come from the Muslim warlord and refer to Allah, including invocations connected with execution, warfare, and authority over the Americans. The American soldiers mostly use the name of God as a curse, apart from one line by Mitch and one “Thank God.” A conversation also contrasts the American value placed on life with the Muslim value placed on dying for promised rewards.

The film therefore affirms moral courage and sacrifice but offers little Christian or biblical grounding for those virtues. Its strongest longing is for loyalty to others in the face of danger. Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

12 STRONG honors courage, loyalty, and patriotism, and its final battle delivers genuine excitement. But its meandering structure, pervasive profanity, and one-sided theology make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other family viewing, consider.