SEAL TEAM EIGHT: BEHIND ENEMY LINES DVD (2014)

SYNOPSIS: Tom Sizemore stars in the most explosive and action-packed Behind Enemy Lines yet! On an unsanctioned mission in Africa, a covert team of U.S. Navy SEALs is sent to locate a secret mining operation and prevent the sale of weapons-grade uranium to international terrorists. The stakes are higher than ever-and so is the body count-as Seal Team Eight must fight their way through the treacherous Congo in order to secure the uranium, expose the unknown buyer, and defuse one of the greatest threats the world has ever known!.

MOVIE REVIEW:

In a span of less than 5 minutes, the story is fully setup in the most efficient way in Seal Team 8: Behind Enemy Lines. There’s not enough time to know the five core Seal members who are being tasked to rescue a CIA asset Zoe Jelani in Congo who possessed important intel to locate a secret uranium mining operation. But who cares if you are a fan of wall-to-wall explosions and gunplay.

From Roel Reiné who sometimes double as a cinematographer has an extraordinary resume that includes Death Race 3, The Scorpion King 3 and 12 Rounds 2. Well, being the industry’s go-to-man for direct to video sequels, the rotund director shoots fast, often offers minimal storytelling and substituting it with bombastic action set pieces and a few bonus nudity bits.    

There isn’t much sense in the story by the credited Brendan Cowles andShane Kuhn. From a non-US military man’s point of view, the way the mission is being executed already sounds phony enough and throwing in a sex scene between the CIA asset and the leader of the seal team only makes it worse. Yet you got to salute Roel Reiné in setting up numerous entertaining major action sequences mostly one after another given the limited budget. 

The number of explosions in the movie is crazy while a climatic chase scene through the busy streets of Johannesburg looks entirely out-of-place. The only recognizable actor here is Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down) credited on the cover carrying a rifle or something dangerous. Not to spoil your enthusiasm but Mr Sizemore’s part in the whole ordeal is being a commanding officer shouting orders in an air-conditioned control room. Playing the gung-ho seal leader, Case, the biggest credit goes to the little known Brit actor Lex Shrapnel for being a totally believable action hero.

If watching people getting shot, blown up and endless balls of fire spurting on the screen is your kind of thing, then Seal Team 8: Behind Enemy Lines comes highly recommended. 

Director Reiné offers an enthusiastic commentary track offering viewers his take on the material in Commentary by Roel Reiné.

The Ultimate Mission consists of interviews by the main cast and the director.

Surviving the Shoot has stunt coordinator Leroy Gregg discussing the chaotic climatic scene which took place in the streets of Johannesburg.

Master of Chaos delves into the fast pace shooting rate of the director as confirmed by the actors themselves. 

AUDIO/VISUAL:

The DVD comes with an intended gritty presentation and the English Dolby Digital 5.1 offers a dynamic listening experience with frequent explosions and gunshots. 

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee