• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

DVD Review – Special Forces (2011)

March 8, 2012 by admin

Special Forces (France: Forces spéciales), 2011.

Directed by Stéphane Rybojad.
Starring Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou and Benoît Magimel.

SYNOPSIS:

A female journalist finds herself held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The release of this film is somewhat timely, or untimely depending on your viewpoint, following the death in Syria of noted journalist Marie Colvin. Special Forces is about a French political journalist, Elsa (Diane Kruger), who is captured by the Taliban. The film itself is dedicated to those journalists who put their lives on the line to bring these stories to attention and act as a voice for the oppressed in whatever country they are operating. Though this film is entirely fictional, it is particularly relevant at this time. When a special forces team manages to rescue Elsa, she – and the team itself – are hunted by a Taliban leader who will not stop until she is dead, so as not to lose face with other senior members.

Putting aside the film’s mirroring of real life events, this works reasonably well on a cinematic level. Films of this nature have just become a regularity in the last ten years for obvious reasons. Movies often tend to be identifiers of their time and say a lot about the time in which they were conceived. This is no different, but we have seen this film before though. There’s nothing new, nothing surprising. In terms of characterisation, the special forces unit itself don’t really reveal too much. That in itself is part of their characters as, in reality, they would (you’d assume) concentrate on the job in hand and keep their game face on. That’s not to say we don’t find a little humanity in each member – we do, but fully formed characters? Not particularly. As for Elsa, she’s a little thinly constructed in truth too. She’s courageous, idealistic, strong and caring, but the audience is never allowed to appreciate the character too much.

As for the cast though, there are not masses of depth; they all take what is given to them to play with and play well. Kruger is excellent as Elsa. Djimon Honsou is decent too. He’s usually reliable and is on the money once more. There’s also fine support from Benoît Magimel. The acting is generally very accomplished throughout, but like I say it’s all a little formulaic.

The combat scenes register as sufficient and effective. They’re not game-changing, or near the best of this genre, but they are fine. The sound design is good, but the set pieces are somewhat let down by some erratic editing and strange music choices that just jar. Director Stephane Rybojad holds everything together fairly well, without ever taking things from simply engaging, to engrossing. It’s not hard when watching this for the attention to wane and you won’t delay any trips to the toilet or the kitchen should they come around. Unlike the best cinema has to offer, you’re not going to get lost in Special Forces.

In all it’s passable, but just lacks the gravitas throughout to take it up a level or two. As well as that, the film starts to get a little bit silly and pull itself away from reality towards the end. This French production succumbs to Hollywood finale syndrome and begins to regretfully start throwing logic out the window. This should really be better given those involved, but the film at least manages to involve and not bore its audience.

Flickering Myth Rating: Film ** / Movie ***

Tom Jolliffe

Filed Under: Uncategorized

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Action Movies Blessed with Stunning Cinematography

The Most Obscure & Shocking John Waters Movies

10 Essential Frankenstein-Inspired Films

10 Horror Movies That Avoided the Director Sophomore Slump

10 Badass Action Movies You Might Have Missed

An Exploration of Bro Camp: The Best of Campy Guy Movies

The Rise of Paul Thomas Anderson: A Living Legend

When Movie Artwork Was Great

8 Great Recent Films You Really Need To See

Underrated Movies from the Masters of Action Cinema

Top Stories:

Movie Review – Eddington (2025)

18 Incredible 21st Century Films You May Have Missed

10 Great 1980s Sci-Fi Adventure Movies

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

Crazy Cult 80s Movies You May Have Missed

4K Ultra HD Review – Quatermass 2 (1957)

Movie Review – Sovereign (2025)

“Dexter In Space” – Michael C. Hall talks 20 years of Dexter and where the killer will go next

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

PM Entertainment and the Art of Rip-offs With Razzmatazz

The Essential Action Movies of the 1980s

The Essential Action Movies of 1985

Ten Great 80s Movie Stars Who Disappeared

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket