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Lately it seems that when it comes to war films, the new enemy
seems to be the rebels from countries of Africa. First, the Somalians
were the enemy in “Black Hawk Down”, and now it’s rebels from Nigeria
in “TEARS OF THE SUN”, a powerful new from Antoine Fuqua, who previously
directed “Training Day”. Led by Bruce Willis, the film is entertaining and thrilling enough to please all at a time when
the topic of war is hot these days.
All soldiers are taught not to have any emotions when on a mission
and such is the case with A.K Waters (Willis). Waters is the leader
of a unit sent in to Nigeria to rescue Dr. Lena Hendricks (Bellucci),
a U.S doctor who may be in harm’s way in light of the bloody coup
by Muslims rebels. The President and his family have been assassinated
and many Christians throughout the country are being sadistically
murdered. Joining Waters in his troupe are Red (Hauser), Zee (Walker),
and Slo (Chinlund). The mission is nearly completed when the good
doctor is found but refuses to leave with Waters unless her staff
and patients (native Christians) come with her. When Waters convinces
her that all will come aboard to Cameroon, Lena is mortified when
Waters lies and forces her into the helicopter to complete his mission.
When they see that the camp where Lena’s staff was staying is filled
with dead bodies, Waters develops a conscience and brings the chopper
around to save the patients from being massacred by the rebels who
have fiercely been on the trail. With the rebels gaining on them
and receiving no help from his commander (Skerritt), Waters, Hendrinks,
and his men must use all the manpower and weaponry they have to
survive, and escape from the Nigerian jungle to a safety zone in
Cameroon.
Although the early stages of the film seems stiff with no place
to go, Director Fuqua has taken a clichéd film and added some realism to it. It
makes you think about the atrocities that occur in Africa that you don't usually read in the newspapers. Willis is the new John Wayne, a resigned
Rambo with a team, someone who will go over the call of duty to
do what he believes is right in his heart. He plays the role with
resignation but is effective when need be. Belluci, who manages to maintain
her sex appeal while being in the jungle, isn’t given the best of
lines. She is however able to play her role with some spark and
compassion. The rest of the cast add more zest to the film. Composer
Hans Zimmer, who ironically did the score to “Black Hawk Down”,
adds more of an African beat to the music filled with emotion. In
a search and rescue film, it isn’t that difficult to predict the
plot developments of the film. We just want to watch the execution
of them and Fuqua succeeds in using the war and clichéd scenarios
as a backdrop to show us what possibly occurs in some areas of Africa.
Some 300 Africans were brought in to the film to add some realism
to the story and therefore leaves you with the effect that although
we (Americans) are preparing for a war with another country, Africans,
whether from Nigeria or Somalia, constantly have to fear for their
lives from their own countrymen. “Tears of the Sun” is a powerful
and entertaining film for those who want to see an action and dramatic
piece of work.
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