This was simply a long and boring story about pretty much nothing, with terrible directing and ridiculous faded dizzying flashbacks. The 95 minute runtime felt like 3 hours. There were so many plot and technical issues, a Cub Scout would have better evasive measures knowledge when someone is shooting at you. This film needed to be a short - no more than 30-40 mins, to make any impact. What little impact it had, was absorbed by the boredom and highly predictable story-line. The score was too much for this film, but thankfully not as overbearing and out of place than most B-grade films. Acting was decent, especially from Viking's Alexander Ludwig. The cinematography and colors were very impressive, and the only redeeming qualities of this film. It's a generous 4/10 from me.
33 Reviews
Recon ... Seriously?
spookyrat130 April 2022
Supposedly based somewhat on true events, Recon is a basic, low budget take about 4 soldiers who having just completed a mentally scarring mission are promptly sent back out to perform recon and report on enemy movements among the snow - capped Italian mountains during World War 2. The overarching theme is of soldiers already struggling with the consequences and psychological toll of previous actions, being thrust into another compromising situation. The movie is Robert Port's (an Oscar winning short filmmaker) feature debut and he is clearly less invested in military minutiae and more interested in seeing where these characters go from the film's harrowing opening scene, which unfortunately is also better than anything that follows.
Port in my opinion, needed to spend a little more of the film's production budget on getting more accurate technical military advice. Because although the acting is of an acceptable standard, the reconnaissance soldiers we see depicted, just behave so incongruously, it's just too much of an ask, that we viewers are expected to believe in and sympathise with them.
I've only had limited military training and experience, but seriously. Soldiers behind enemy lines wandering haphazardly, shouting and arguing constantly amongst themselves, grouping together to make easy targets, not searching people they come across properly, especially considering the aforementioned opening scenes? Absolutely nothing rings true. I mean I literally wanted to reach through the screen and throttle Private Asch myself. He just never shut up and was seemingly oblivious to the fact that a noisy, careless soldier such as himself would likely attract enemy attention to either himself, or his fellow soldiers. Simply confounding all around!
Recon looks good, for a small scale production. It's just a pity that after a compelling opening stanza, bizarre narrative set - ups and script decisions make the finished film so ineffective in conveying its worthy themes concerning post traumatic stress disorders among front line military personnel.
Port in my opinion, needed to spend a little more of the film's production budget on getting more accurate technical military advice. Because although the acting is of an acceptable standard, the reconnaissance soldiers we see depicted, just behave so incongruously, it's just too much of an ask, that we viewers are expected to believe in and sympathise with them.
I've only had limited military training and experience, but seriously. Soldiers behind enemy lines wandering haphazardly, shouting and arguing constantly amongst themselves, grouping together to make easy targets, not searching people they come across properly, especially considering the aforementioned opening scenes? Absolutely nothing rings true. I mean I literally wanted to reach through the screen and throttle Private Asch myself. He just never shut up and was seemingly oblivious to the fact that a noisy, careless soldier such as himself would likely attract enemy attention to either himself, or his fellow soldiers. Simply confounding all around!
Recon looks good, for a small scale production. It's just a pity that after a compelling opening stanza, bizarre narrative set - ups and script decisions make the finished film so ineffective in conveying its worthy themes concerning post traumatic stress disorders among front line military personnel.
Nothing amazing but not terrible
crosa61627 November 2020
It's not a blow your socks off action war epic. It's a small, dialogue driven suspense story. Most of the performances are very well done. There are a few questionable editing choices and some drawn out sequences. But in my opinion it's not as bad as most of these reviewers are saying it is.
Undisciplined
dogger-8538113 November 2020
As a veteran I can honestly say that I have never seen a group of more undisciplined soldiers in my life.. They're in enemy territory, and they are screaming at each other, fist fighting, and comducting themselves like they were at a HS foot ball game.
It's a wonder any of then made it out alive!
It was hard to watch. I wasted $7.99 on Direct TV to watch this violation of military norms
It's a wonder any of then made it out alive!
It was hard to watch. I wasted $7.99 on Direct TV to watch this violation of military norms
Spend some money..... for
calmirio10 November 2020
Spend some money and hire some military historian, preferably specialized in WWII, or more specific Italy - Monte Cassino. I can assure you, they are a lot of them and more cheaper that any of those " seasoned reenactment specialists", or just spend some time researching, something like: List of United States divisions during World War II (on a very common website), and see that 5th Infantry Division, was nowhere Italy, ever, or that badge is also a fantasy, like parts of the uniforms, or the way they carry the rifle, just to name a few.
Gave it a shot, then came here to see if it was worth finishing. It's not.
Xavier_Stone13 November 2020
It looked like a decent film and decided to watch this first before checking the reviews here. Sometimes I don't want to be biased beforehand. But after loads of yapping and crying by 4 guys on a pointless mission I was starting to wonder if anything exciting was ever going to happen.
Then I read the reviews and like one user said it's like the Blair Witch Project and he is absolutely correct. 10 star review from a one review account is par for the course now.
Mostly this film is walk in the country and I'm sure not many viewers are going to be impressed by that.
In short, the bad reviews are warranted, just a bad story to choose and bad directing and bad.... well you get the picture.
Stupid premise
fluffchop7 November 2021
Lots of people got killed in WWII. You don't have missions of 4 people going off like random goats scurrying through the tundra for no reason. It's bloody stupid. What's it got to do with WWII? Absolutely Nothing, Huh, say it again. War, good god ya'll.
Unbelievable
screenwriter-972-14961217 November 2022
This is most definitely not a soldier's movie. It's a movie written by someone who creates an unbelievable world of war and soldiers and is directed and produced by people with too few funds and not a whole lot of understanding about film making.
It's a movie where a reconnaissance patrol always walks down the middle of roads or fields all the while talking loudly or shouting. Oh, and with lit cigarettes. Stealth was not their long suit.
It's a movie where young men in 1943 constantly swear and use phrases from 2019. Where a commanding officer orders that an unarmed civilian be shot and orders it in front of about 20 witnesses.
It's all simply unbelievable. And it's poorly made and made on the cheap.
I won't waste any more or your time. Just a friendly warning, don't view this thing no matter how desperate you are for something to do. It's that bad.
It's a movie where a reconnaissance patrol always walks down the middle of roads or fields all the while talking loudly or shouting. Oh, and with lit cigarettes. Stealth was not their long suit.
It's a movie where young men in 1943 constantly swear and use phrases from 2019. Where a commanding officer orders that an unarmed civilian be shot and orders it in front of about 20 witnesses.
It's all simply unbelievable. And it's poorly made and made on the cheap.
I won't waste any more or your time. Just a friendly warning, don't view this thing no matter how desperate you are for something to do. It's that bad.
The not military norm
kosmasp7 April 2021
You probably have heardd of suspension of disbelief. This applies very much to this movie right here. I understand that those who have served in the military (even more so have been to places where discipline was important), might have issues with how the characters do conduct themselves here.
But this is also where the movie thrives - giving you people and characters who are not the best of examples. Rethinking and questioning every fatal decision you make - relaying what happened ... but especially being burdened and having issues with dealing what is happening to you and your mates ... moral decisions to make and all that. This may be flawed and feel removed from reality for some, but it also might make sense for a lot of other folk/viewers too.
But this is also where the movie thrives - giving you people and characters who are not the best of examples. Rethinking and questioning every fatal decision you make - relaying what happened ... but especially being burdened and having issues with dealing what is happening to you and your mates ... moral decisions to make and all that. This may be flawed and feel removed from reality for some, but it also might make sense for a lot of other folk/viewers too.
small
SnoopyStyle7 January 2021
It's Italy in WW2. Four American soldiers witness their Sergeant killing a seemingly innocent civilian. The group encounters an old man pulling a cart who tells them about a group of nearby German soldiers. As they head off to recon their enemy, they fight among themselves and grow suspicious of the old man. It's a small war indie and it remains a small war indie. The characters feel small. The actors are small. The production is small. It's all very small.
Good "New" WW2 Content, albeit a little slow.....
bmjudson8 January 2021
I grew up watching the Combat series with Vic Morrow in the 60's and That's what this one reminded me of. Nice new twists on an old school ww2 story, though heavily borrows all the cliches... Still WW2 Fans will enjoy.
anti-war movie
axelhleo16 June 2022
Suspenseful throughout. Showing the confusion, pain, impenetrable context of war with young Americans facing carnage. All those men, on either side, came back - if they came back - with nightmarish memories forever fu***ing up their lives.
Not much to say...
jamactechnical18 November 2020
...except I agree with all of the low reviews on this one. I do not recommend this film...don't waste your time/ money on it. None of the soldiers were likeable and they were ALL crybabies...really?? The constant swearing didn't help either. Please find something else to watch.
Boring and pointless
mm-756872 November 2022
The only thing about this movie that was good was the cinematography. The uniforms, settings and equipment all looked realistic. Other than that it was kind of boring. For this involved it may have been a big deal, but it was hardly worth making a movie. There are thousands and thousands of stories that occurred in World War II that are more interesting than this was. The poor discipline of the soldiers was off putting as well. I doubt that American soldiers walked around on patrols making that much noise because they never knew when they would encounter the Germans. The inexperienced cast and undoubtedly rookie director did not help either.
Boring, Terrible
salvaborrelli31 July 2022
I've subscribed and downloaded IMDb app just to say that this is one of the most boring movies I've ever seen. Please give me back two hours of my life. No my mission will be to understand how can I post a similar review on Amazon prime.
its sad to say...
ops-5253516 October 2020
That ww2 happened a long time a go, and a clear sign it is that when making movies about these terrible years of striving and dirtdigging to feed family and friends, at least in europe, have the lack of one great resource namely war time survivorers, they are nearly all dead, and may they rest in peace, and they leave the warfilmakers of today produce movies thats made in an ambisious directors mind, and they leave the rest to the cast and crew to deliver. so when the plot is bad, youll get films like these, merely a bunch of boyscouts armed with weapons, doing pushups in the foothills of the montecassino.
so skip this one, go back to the past and praised ones for viewing this genre. its barely a weak three from the grumpy old man
so skip this one, go back to the past and praised ones for viewing this genre. its barely a weak three from the grumpy old man
Nothing here.
bombersflyup9 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Every story needn't be told and Recon is another.
The lead Ludwig says nothing and cries all film. All the characters are high and mighty and then incoherently babbling and crying the next. Do what you're going to do already, often my thoughts. Its not woeful, it's not really anything.
The lead Ludwig says nothing and cries all film. All the characters are high and mighty and then incoherently babbling and crying the next. Do what you're going to do already, often my thoughts. Its not woeful, it's not really anything.
"Blair Witch Project" in uniform.
oldvinyl19 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
About half way through this film I realised I was watching the Blair Witch Project but in uniform, and with the annoying girl replaced by the corporal. In each movie, bad things happen and are obviously going to get worse, but for some reason (the screen writer's desire to 'make a story out of nothing') the characters just follow the leader and get bumped off one by one as a result.
This is not a film in which you might see some actual war action. It's a psychological thriller just as the BWP was, with the witch replaced by an unseen sniper. I managed to get through the second half of it though by that time I was regretting wasting my life watching it.
Interesting film
wwwgiusegue25 April 2022
I don't understand Why people don't like it... it's a good film, i think they just expected a different movie type. Franco Nero was great. Music was great. The atmosphere remind me Uomini Contro, an italian movie about war of '70, a cult of the genre in Italy.
Another worst war film! Full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Avoid at all cost!
kwenchow19 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This film start with a narrator talking about the war at Italy, and an American soldier "Marson" killing a woman's husband scene! As turnout, this film is about a bunch of American soldiers need the helping of a Italian civilian "Angelo" to scouting the Nazis! Entire film full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Such as, overuse of the flashbacks scene, overuse of the hallucinate scene, overuse of the arguing scene, overuse of the walking scene, and overuse of the smoking scene! Make the film unwatchable! Barely intense scene is, Heisman kill by the landmine! At the end, Marson refuse to kill Angelo, and let him go! Marson continue his journey at the very end! That's it! Wasting time to watch!
Harsh reviews but worth a watch
evanyankos30 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Its slow paced , action and redemption shows the horrors of war and what soldiers endured can clearly see they are burnt out tired and questioning themselves right or wrong , says its based on a true story in start and end credits highlights
Alexander ludwig from vikings series still picture him as bjorn not as a ww2 soldiers plays a great character as a leader and warrior / soldier but questioning war and burnout and kissing his photo of his daughter back home in usa and just looking for peace more than anything
Other reviews seem to be low scored how you interpret the film i found it entertaining and pleasurable to watch each to there own have a watch of it before you go by other reviews.
Good movie? NOT!
tony-permadi22 November 2020
Stay away
marines304319 May 2021
Weak. Very weak
rlhibdon14 November 2022
Movie tries so hard to say something. To have some high moral message. And fails miserably. It doesn't seem to know what it is. Others have compared it to Blair Witch Project and I guess that's pretty close. Is it a "war" movie? Is it a "thriller"? "Is it a religious movie"? I sure don't know! It's pretty obvious whoever filmed this has NO idea of what war actually is. The "actors" certainly were never around soldiers or veterans. They know nothing about weapons. Or tactics. Or RECON. Boring, uninteresting, and not one character I could care about. I won't disclose the ending. If you're that driven to watch it though, well the jokes on you.
There appears to be an agreement here that whoever directed this knew nothing about WWII,
joesesto13 November 2022
The Greatest Generation, military codes of conduct and discipline. There aren't many WWII heroes left today that would waste their time watching this insult to them, but somebody needs to speak up for them. I'm not old enough to have served in WWII but all my uncles did. They all had one thing in common, they never spoke about WWII. I can't believe many of these details are true and the worst ones were created by someone that was ever close to a WWII combat veteran. The M-1 Garand weighs almost 9 lbs. Nobody ever carried it cross body with crooked arms like it's portrayed here. It was our ROTC training weapon in the mid-''50s. It's sling was dual purpose,; ithe most comfortable way to carry the M-1 Garand on your shoulder and the sling helped steady the weapon in most shooting positions. The M-1 carbine was a pea shooter compared to the Garand, which was accurate and lethal at long distances. We heard stories after Korea of soldiers accidentally shot with the carbine while wearing full winter gear and the bullet fell out of the layers. The Garand 30-06 could be a thru & thru at those distances. I've seen Monte Casino in Italy, its below Rome...above Salerno. How could the wolf have been close to Switzerland? When the M-1 was fired in all directions, the clip must have been emptied. The clip is designed to spring out of the top of the weapon when empty. It makes a unique twang when it exits...didn't twang!
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