Bravo Two Zero: A Desert Stroll with Lots of Bang Bang

Alright, mates, let’s dive right into “Bravo Two Zero.” Now, you might be scratching your head and thinking, “Here we go again, another war flick,” but hold your horses. This one’s got the star power of Sean Bean, y’know, the geezer from “The Lord of the Rings” and other things where he usually cops it. But no fears, this isn’t about his mortality.

Based on Andy McNab’s book, this film tries to capture the essence of an SAS patrol during the Gulf War. I remember my own desert adventures back in the seventies, driving through Skåne’s sandy shores during that blistering heatwave. Nothing like a war zone, but still, those blinding sun reflections on the Volvo’s dashboard? Close enough.

The film is directed by Tom Clegg, a bloke known for his work on British TV classics. He does an alright job here, I guess. But blimey, sometimes I felt the pace was slower than waiting for a bus on a stormy November night in Gävle.

Cinematic-wise, there’s a lot to chew on, from the intense firefights to the eerie quietness of the desert. The sound of the wind blowing through the barren landscape was so immersive, I almost started bobbling my head to the imaginary tune of “Viva Las Vegas” in my mind.

Bean’s performance is rock solid, but there’s something too slick about the whole shebang. Like putting Gravadlax on your mom’s knäckebröd, some purists might get their knickers in a twist. It felt like the movie was trying to bottle up the essence of camaraderie, and sprinkle it over a script filled with too much soldiering and not enough… well, heart.

All in all, if you’re in the mood for some action sprinkled with a bit of truth and fiction, then why not give Bravo Two Zero a go? Just don’t expect to walk away with deep insights on war. Grab a kopp kaffe and enjoy the ride!

Check the trailer below