The 15:17 to Paris - Movie review

The Movie: The 15:17 to Paris

The Director: Clint Eastwood

The Cast: Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, Spencer Stone, Judy Greer, Jenna Fischer

The Story: Three Americans discover a terrorist plot aboard a train while in France.

The Review:
In case you didn't know, Clint Eastwood hired the actual men who thwarted the terrorist attack to to star as themselves in the movie about their lives and the infamous incident. While this was a risky move, I feel like it ultimately paid off even if it meant not having big name stars in place to help sell the movie. The story shows how these young men grew up together as kids, how they were always in and out of trouble, and how they were each struggling to settle into adulthood.

Most of that was mildly interesting and a lot of the scenes where they are being tourists in Europe leading up the the incident are pretty fun to watch. It's nice to really see who these men are as individuals and as friends which is pretty important considering how they ended up instinctively working together to put a stop to a one man's goals of killing hundreds of people. Once we get to that point, the emotion, the drama, the anticipation, and the reality of those dangerous moments really hit home and this is also where Eastwood is at his best.

Actually seeing the three friends in action, albeit recreated action, absolutely adds an emotional punch and an intensity to the struggle because it shows you that these were the actual men who put their lives on the line. Mark Moogalian, the one person who was shot by the terrorist, and his wife Isabelle also played themselves in the movie, which I wasn't aware of until writing this review.

The Verdict:
The 15:17 to Paris is not a perfect movie by any means but it is absolutely a movie worth watching. I find it impossible to criticize these men in any way as far as their untrained acting ability, I will just salute their bravery and for their willingness to do it all again in front of the camera.

Thank you gentlemen. You are heroes indeed.

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