The Covenant

Synopsis

During OEF the United States hired 1000s of interpreters in an effort to quell terrorism activity with the promise of providing visas the the US. This special forces team finds a new interpreter the does more than translates for the team. During a fire fight, most of the team is killed and the interpreter covers 120km to bring the team lead back to base through Taliban territory. However, due to US government bureaucracy, the visa process is either slow or repugnant. Team Lead upon returning home works to keep his side of the covenant to get the interpreter out of Afghanistan and their visa.

Review

Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim are an amazing duo. Both of them are at their peak and provide an incredible overview of the view by most service members about the interpreters. They both provide a truly believable experience to the fact that I felt I needed to check to see if it was based on a true story. It isn't.

Guy Ritchie did such a great job directing this movie. The action and story are spectacular and there isn't any part of this that I felt was too beyond belief or happened because plot. The end gun fight is so good, but that is where you are most likely going to say to yourself "Really?", but at that point you are invested and it is just awesome.

Something I don't typically mention in these reviews is the music, but the soundtrack, the actual soundtrack, is outstanding. The cello work is so deep and moody, really brings this movie a new layer. I have listened to it while working out, it is just outstanding.

My Rating

This movie was almost perfect. Great acting by the main cast, good story and gun fights, and amazing music. The main issue I have is the authenticity of the story. I am not talking about it being a fictional story, I am talking about the legitimacy of the actions and how they would have been handled in real life. I feel like there wasn't any research into it and that is what hurts the score. Part of me wants to give it a 9, but it is an 8.

EDIT: Before this review was released, a second movie "Kandahar" came out with Gerald Butler. Basically the same story. This movie was so good that I decided to wait to watch Kandahar to savor this movie. It might be a 9.

EDIT 2: It wasn't a 9. This is substantially better.

Parental Rating

Dad is 100% down to watch this movie. Action, light on language, and a great story. My mom would watch it, but wouldn't like it. I feel that while not a kids' movie, there is a great message and my mom would watch for that.

Want to get a hold of me?
Email | [email protected]