Valiant One

Valiant One (2025) is a movie I only found out about when I watched Gladiator II (2024) at the theater and saw the trailer previews. Well I just finished watching the movie hours ago and it was very mediocre.

Positives for Valiant One (2025): This movie works best as an unironic watch as it stars Chase Stokes (John B from Outer Banks) and Lana Condor (Lara Jean from the To All the Boys Trilogy). I'll also give them credit for their performances as they are the best parts in the movie. There are some decent enough shootouts throughout the movie. And finally, the movie does move at a fast pace where it doesn't overstay its welcome.

Negatives for Valiant One (2025): The movie's runtime is too short at only 86 minutes long. Because of this, there isn't time to develop the characters, the story, themes or drama. Aside from John B and Lara Jean, I didn't care about any of the characters The movie feels like it was made from only $5 million and it definitely shows in the final product. And finally, the movie feels like a generic U. S. Military action thriller movie that would go straight-to-DVD.

Overall, Valiant One (2025) is a mediocre mess with two good lead performances and decent action, but a messy plot and dumber execution.

Mediocre Movie which could've been better with better direction and story.

The Lead and other actors could've played a better role too.

These characters were not fit for combat, they couldn't aim, or the direction made it that easy to notice. Again, shouting repeatedly in army scenes/roles is common but when it is not well executed it looks worse.

The second half made no sense, not that the first half did.

I have seen only Lana Condor's work. I loved the way she did the previous roles, but after this I think she should stay away from such roles, she didn't try her best or the characters were that inexperienced I don't know. She just failed big time.

The beginning of the movie seems good. The actors are acting good. We can think of this movie like "The Lone Survivor", when American snipers were doing the best they can to escape death from their villains. The cameo is good with real Korean villagers interacting with the soldier-actors. You can really think the place was in North Korea.

I was a little bit dismayed when a segment of the movie showed Korean villagers talking Korean to the soldiers yet none of those who seemingly looked Korean soldiers were native Koreans. Unable to respond to the villagers. How come? In real life, you will need local soldiers to help you in your mission, right? LOL. So, I was a little bit disappointed. It seems that this movie wants to insert some comedy to make you laugh. However, this movie is a good start and could become a potential blockbuster had it been edited properly.

I loved Valiant One! The story was a great story about how U. S. Army Soldiers can make great heroes and family members. The story was also a great story about fight to save lives, communism is evil, be strong, be courageous, be competent, and embrace love. The action was very cool; I really liked how the gunfire came out of the muzzle of the gun looking like a big epic star, and sounded epic. I liked how the movie was very good and was only one hour and 26 minutes long; proving movies don't need to be long to be good. All the actors did great at their roles. Therefore, Valiant One is definitely one of my new favorite movies! Have a great day and goooo Valiant One!

Something that's creeping into more and more films I'm noticing is beginning with a scene from the end and then flashing back to however long before to find out how they got there. I suspect it's related to the success of 'The White Lotus' but it needs to stop. It adds nothing to the film and it takes all the suspense out of earlier scenes when those characters are in peril.

'Valiant One' was a passable movie. It's very short which helps it hide a lot of its flaws. It knew it had to get in and get out and it did. And the flaws are there if you look hard enough. The acting isn't great, there a number of highly implausible scenes and the characters are all over the place.

But if you switch your brain off and just decide to have a good time for 80 minutes then the film can work. Military survival films are always fun on some level. 6/10.