Mosul

At one time, it seemed Isis was unstoppable in Iraq. The docudrama Mosul, produced by the Russo brothers, takes us in nail-biting detail with an elite Iraqi SWAT team dedicated to eradicating the last vestiges of the terrorist group with no little motive of revenge in their hearts.

While this drama, pulling together pieces of real events, is largely close-quarter fighting in the alleys and homes of the city, first-time director and writer Matthew Michael Carnahan expertly takes his hand-held and Steadicam with the soldiers to give the immediate sense of terror mixed with courage and mission.

The linchpin of the group is Major Jasem (Suhail Dubbach), rough and soft, tough and smart about Isis activities. More than once must he decide on the value of saving a life or letting it go, be it his soldier or Isis's. In that way this story is like The Outpost earlier this year in which hundreds of Taliban corner a small U.S. team placed in a canyon by irresponsibly clueless officers. Survival by wit is the common denominator, and thoughts of love buoy spirits but not for the audience that knows too well the ongoing tragedy.

Many learn history through realistic films like Mosul. The sights are not pretty, and the losses are not easy to accept. Those who know first-hand our losing efforts in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq can be assured that we have a good idea of the costs of democracy and misplaced ideals through competent and uncompromising docudramas like Mosul. On Netflix.

Mosul, Iraq. After a long struggle the tide is at last turning against ISIS. At the forefront of the war against ISIS is the elite Nineveh SWAT team, lead by Major Jasem. After recruiting a young police officer to their ranks they set off on a another hazardous mission.

A novel war drama, as it is told from an Iraqi perspective and set against the war against ISIS. Decent story, well told, with some realistic action scenes. Very gritty in the war the battles are portrayed: the good guys aren't immortal.

Not perfect though. Character engagement is limited, largely because there's no backstory to the characters or plot. Things just happen without a context, making you more an observer than a participant in the film.

The reason for the lack of background becomes apparent at the end but it would have been very helpful to have some way to have audiences engage more closely with characters. A longer film, even a mini-series, would have been more ideal.

Wow. I was positively surprised by this movie. After all the stereotyped, Americanized movies about the war in the Middle East this little film feels like a well-needed breath of fresh air. The action is packed and high class, the acting is sublime and even the plot itself is unique and interesting. It reminded me somewhat of the amazing Brazilian 'Elite Squad' movies, all-though this is a totally different war. The Iraqi actors are all doing an outstanding job in portraying the horrors of the war caused by the medieval terrorist machine that is ISIS. An absolute must-watch, not just for war-movies fans, but just for anyone to get a better view of the situation in this war-torn area of the world.

I am deeply impressed by this movie for several reasons.

This movie succeeds in conveying the true horror and struggle of the war on IS for the locals - but not by using famous actors, over-the-top stylish action scenes, western "Good vs. Bad" morals or anything Hollywood usually does.

A simple (and partially real) plot, atmospheric score, an authentic look and feel and, most importantly, no "cool" choreographed fight scenes. War is frightening, chaotic and terrible, mistakes are being made, moral codes are blurred and innocent people getting harmed and killed just because they are at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mosul simply depicts these things - and from my point of view (as a lucky guy from Germany) helps to understand a bit better the sheer terror in some areas of the Middle East.... Without the obligatory Hollywood Western Army strolling in and saving the day in the end...

Watch this movie and really focus on it - oh, and you should try to watch the movie in Arabic with the according subtitles as you will be emerged even more.

The best movie about urban warfare, post Black Hawk Down. Set in the city of Mosul, this is a superb thriller that pits a squad of Syrian SWAT soldiers against Daesh or ISIS, in the last days of Islamic State.

The action is non- stop and is punctuated with solid story telling.

It is a hidden gem on Netflix and would be loved by all action / thriller / war movie buffs out there.

Highly recommended.