Mosul 2019

Everything feels real. Walang studio look, hindi siya mukhang movie set. It is dirty, dusty, broken, and stinky. Ramdam mo yung rawness of their environment. Camera movements are chaotic handheld, which makes you feel like you are with them, running and fighting in real time. The base siege has a nice gunfight sequence. Ang galing ng pag flank. Very tactical. You feel like they know how to move as a unit. But every dead teammate does not feel heavy emotionally dahil hindi ako attached sa supporting characters. Parang cannon fodder lang sila sa story, disposable. Katulad ni Kawa, I was lost the entire time kung ano ba talagang mission or purpose ng SWAT team. Mystery siya for most of the runtime. But I like that Kawa also demonstrates character development by giving in to his hate toward ISIS. Slowly becoming a hardened fighter like the others. Walang masyadong change of lens. Mostly wide shots para sa handheld style. It gives the film a grounded feel. Hindi siya very cinematic in the traditional sense, pero maganda yung color grading na golden brown. Consistent and immersive. Ironic na yung pagiging consistent ni Jasem sa pagliligpit and pagtatapon ng basura was also what ended his life. It is nice to see Waleed step up as leader after their commander died. Sa una hesitant pa siya, unsure of taking responsibility. But eventually, he has no choice. They must finish what they started. In the end, once Kawa understands the true purpose of everything, he goes all in. He is finally one of them.