Watch The Hornet's Nest

The Hornet's Nest is a gripping and intense war documentary film released in 2014, directed by David Salzberg and Christian Tureaud. The movie takes viewers on a dramatic and unforgettable journey into one of the deadliest and most brutal wars of our time – The War in Afghanistan. This heart-pounding film follows two veteran journalists, Mike Boettcher and his son Carlos Boettcher, as they embed themselves with American troops on the front line of the war in Afghanistan. The film's title comes from the US-led Operation Rock Avalanche, which was aimed at disrupting Taliban activity in the Kunar province, Northwest Afghanistan. During the course of their assignment, the Boettchers accompany U.S. soldiers on a dangerous mission to take back "The Hornet's Nest," a stronghold of the Taliban.

The Hornet's Nest provides an up-close and personal look at the brutality of war and the heroic actions of U.S. soldiers as they risk their lives to protect their country's freedom. The film opens with footage of soldiers under attack, with Boettcher's short clipped voice-over providing context into the situation. The documentary's unflinching camera pans out a dusty, mountainous landscape before focusing on the bloodshed and mayhem that have become symbolic of the War in Afghanistan. We quickly realize that neither Boettcher nor his son is here to glamorize the war or the soldiers' experiences.

The Boettchers, along with many Soldiers, are thrown into an intense firefight outside the Hornet's Nest. The movie provides a detailed account of what the soldiers experience, from the intricate planning involved in the military strategy to the grueling physical and psychological tests they undergo. The viewer understands the sheer power of being locked in a firefight once it becomes clear that any missteps taken by the soldiers could result in fatal consequences.

The film follows several real-life soldiers as they reveal their experiences on the battlefield, speaking candidly about their doubts, fears, and the horrific effects of war. The bravery and camaraderie of these soldiers are truly inspiring and leave a lasting impact on the viewer.

The Hornet's Nest maintains its raw grittiness throughout, with one of the critical scenes in the film consisting of nothing more than a jarring sound of gunfire and soldiers' screams as they take on the Taliban forces. The film avoids any overt political messaging, and its narrative is not distracted by any notions of revisionism either. Instead, what we get are soldiers and their personal stories – stripped of any partisanship – tales of hardship and violence that are difficult to ignore.

The movie splinters into two threads a few times. One thread follows the Boettchers' involvement and experience during the firefight and is shot with a single-camera setup, which highlights the journalists' willingness to get themselves in the line of fire. The second thread provides background on several of the soldiers the Boettchers follow through the film. The dual nature of the film lets us see two sides of the same story.

The Hornet's Nest will stay with you long after the credits have rolled, as it offers an unflinching look at the realities of war. The Boettchers' unrelenting journey through the decaying landscapes of Kunar province and the soldiers they meet along the way deliver an honest portrayal of a war that is often played out in news stories and blog headlines.

In conclusion, The Hornet's Nest is an intense and emotional war documentary that should not be missed. Salzberg and Tureaud masterfully highlight the bravery and sacrifices made by soldiers fighting to defend their country. The movie depicts war in its truest form – the brutal reality of how it affects those who fight, those who are innocent caught in the crossfire, and their families back home. It is a must-watch documentary for anyone curious about the nature of war and the people who fight in them.

The Hornet's Nest is a 2014 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 61.