Above the Best

Of all the attributes that make Above the Best an astounding war documentary, I think the unique editing style really sets it apart. The film features archival footage from the war in Afghanistan paired with interviews of the soldiers who recorded and lived through the battles depicted in the footage. During the interviews, they cut the footage to create a glitching effect when the veterans discuss their panic and anxiety attacks from the war. This gave me a visual representation of the disorientation they felt as they lived through the battle that was being shown throughout the film. There was also a vignette effect used during these anxiety attacks that portrayed the feeling of claustrophobia the soldier was experiencing. These editing tactics only made the emotions and feelings expressed throughout this documentary more powerful and moving. Above the Best is definitely a strong, emotionally driven film that is important for people to see.

This is a horrible film about a National Guard Apache unit. They were my unit's replacements in 2006 and they were a horrible unit. The National Guard should not have AH-64 aircraft because being an attack aviator is a full time job. Please do not judge Army attack aviation by this one weird film and by this horrible unit who let their lift brothers and ground forces down day after day.

Great, some random warrant officer illegally strapped a GoPro camera to the outside of his aircraft to get flight footage. Wonder if he got an official release from the Army to show his flight footage?? Did he have an Airworthiness Release (AWR) for the addition of the outside camera??

I wouldn't have made a film about a less than stellar Apache unit. There are much better units and pilots out there with much better stories.

Above the Best shows us a soldier's most perilous fear: the fear of failing to protect those you are there to support. The quick decisions demonstrated by the featured soldiers held such a high importance in "Above the Best." Refueling and reloading firepower or staying and waiting could mean life or death for the infantry soldiers below the US Army Apache Pilots. Above the Best demonstrates the very real fears/regrets that pilots like Daniel Flores have to live with and strongly persevere through. I have the greatest respect for those military personnel that have to act quick and risk their lives everyday. Above the Best really showcases their bold sacrifices and is a great watch.

The amazing war documentary, Above The Best, is not only a unique look into the lives of soldiers in combat, but a story of courage and unity. The film tells the stories of soldiers and pilots and their experiences in the Korengal Valley through talking heads and footage that they personally took while in combat. The director's decision to use body cam footage to drive the narrative was a very creative choice that did a great job of portraying the reality and context of combat to the audience. The incredible editing of the raw footage captured by the soldiers really exemplified to me as a viewer the amount of bravery that is required of these people. You can see the dangers they put themselves in to protect other soldiers, some they may not even know, and it is truly inspiring. I thought it was incredible to see Apache pilot Daniel Flores talk about how his experiences have affected him and still affect him in his daily life. Overall, I would definitely recommend Above The Best as an extraordinary documentary about a story of heroism and teamwork.

David Salzberg, director of the Heroes of Valor Collection, presents Above The Best, a documentary about the Afghan war told through the soldier's perspective. Through the honesty of the bodycam footage, photos, and testimonies, I was able to understand the intense sense of challenge and brotherhood of war in a gracious way. Listening to Daniel Flores testimony, while also being able to experience his time in Afghanistan made the story come to life before my eyes. Seeing the interactions of the aviators and soldiers on the ground, beautifully illustrates the ability of American soldiers to risk their lives for those they have never met. Watching this film, gives a real understanding of sacrifice and what it takes to be able to act when others cannot.