Before I say something about the movie let me start by saying I am neither questioning the message nor the motive. I am well aware of the BS that is happening it parts of the world. But there were some things I didn't like in this movie. I've watched the Directors Cut this time which runs about 20 mins longer. I had seen the theatrical version before but it was long ago and I can't regognize what was added. Although I have an idea about which scenes. It is a good, indeed a very good, action/war movie. But it tries to hard to sell the message. It uses clichèd characters - the hard nosed soldier who knows only duty and orders, the young and beautiful humanitarian doctor who needs to be rescued. It is predictable from start to finish. Every character does what you expect him/her to do. They say exactly what they have to say at every point in the story. It's ticking of all the nessessary boxes at the right time. And then there is the logical back breaker of the movie for me. Let me explain. [spoiler] The SEALs are flying into Nigeria through Cameroon and are parachuting in the middle of the night about 7 miles away from the misson. All fine and well here. Then they have to travel 12 clicks to their LZ. Again, fine and well. Here comes the flaw. After being lift of by the helicopters they fly straight back over the mission, in bright daylight, to witness the atrocities commited. Now why would they do that ? If it was possible to fly there, then why not do so in the first place ? Why fly back there at all and not back again over Cameroon ? This is the essential moment of the movie and the turning point for Waters. And it is highly illogical and constructed only to move the story along. There were some other minor things that didn't add up but that was the worst one. If you take into further consideration that all of this only comes to fruition because of the irritating and constantly complaning of the one they were supposed to rescue, while at the same time not being completely honest herself, it makes you wonder why Waters not just knocked her out cold and got out. [/spoiler] It tarnishes an otherwise really good movie that doesn't shy away from looking where others don't want to look. The action sequences are very good, the final battle is intense. The ending is emotinal but overall I couldn't overcome the errors in the story.

Tears of the Sun is my favorite war movie. What's important to know is that this is not a war movie in the sense of it being a live-action video game, with superhumans saving NPCs. This is a serious drama about mortal soldiers rescuing people. There are only two action sequences, and neither of them are gratuitous, in fact, the first one is heartbreaking. The dialog feels real, the acting is great - one of Willis' best performances - the music appropriately fits the mood without being overbearing. This is an amazing film that reminds you of just how disgustingly violent humans can be, while at the same time showing how heroic we have the capability to be.

I really loved this movie when I first saw it, as a fan of realistic tactics, when I first saw them counter the ambush by charging out of the killzone in fire team bounds and then do a peel at the end to disengage I was ecstatic but after re-watching this today, I really think the whole premise bothers me. I think a better movie at this point in time for satisfying SEAL action would be Act of Valor.

One of Bruce Willis best films.

"I broke my own rule. I started to give a fuck... and I brought you guys along with me." I had this one on dvd for ages but I never bothered to watch but seeing that it was leaving Netflix by the end of this month, I just finally had to watch it. And to be honest, it is exactly what you'd expect. The action is alright, I like the jungle setting, Bruce Willis is a fine lead, I liked the final shoot out and the rest is just exactly what you'd expect and want. Tears of the Sun isn't gonna blow anyone away and it will probably be a movie that everyone remembers laying in the cheap movie bin at the old DVD stores, but never really bothered to buy or rent. Still if you enjoy Bruce Willis, this one is worth checking out. I might sound a bit negative but it is a perfectly fine decent movie!