Taking Chance

Dear Readers,

I am not sure you will ever see a review like this on this site again. Of course I can't say for sure because one never knows, but right now there isn't another like it. At least on this blog.

Taking Chance is actually a DVD not a book.  I know, shocking, I actually do other things besides read.  :-D  It isn't one I expected to like, but it is one I recommend all the time here at the store and one day I thought I should write a review of it. 

Our brave young men and woman have for hundreds of years have been willing to sacrifice themselves for our freedom.  In recent years this has become something that is constantly on the news.  Whether because a local person was killed or because there are people out there that believe they can capitalize from someone else's sadness, the news has made sure we always know what is going on.  I hate to admit it, maybe am even ashamed to admit it, but in some ways it makes me not appreciate it as much as I should.  This movie changed that.

Chance is a young PFC (private first class) fighting in Iraq when he is killed in a fire fight.  Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl, played by Kevin Bacon, hears about it and volunteers to escort Chance home.  This is the story of that trip home.  It is the story of how Chance's story affects Michael, but also how the different people he meets along the way show respect and gratitude towards a fallen hero. 

This movie is a wonderful look at the heart of America and the people who live there.  It is a moving story of one man's rediscovery of why he loves his country. 

There are no big secrets in this movie so I am not worried about giving anything away by talking about this scene.  There is a scene filmed at one of the airports on the way home.  Chance's body is being off loaded from the plane.  Michael is standing by getting ready to salute and the men and women working in that area of the airport realize what is going on and stop what they are doing to stand quietly by the airplane while the body is being moved.  They don't say anything they just stand there very respectfully watching.  It was an very very amazing scene.  There are several others like it in the film, but I don't want to mention them all as I want you to be able get the full impact of the movie. 

I will admit I didn't think that a movie could move me everytime I watch it, and I have seen this one here at the store several times now, and every time I almost come to tears at certain parts.  In fact there is one scene I still refuse to watch because I would be sitting in the middle of the store crying and I don't really want to do that. 

Yes I did time this review to release on 4th of July weekend.  It would be the perfect time to watch this movie, of course anytime would be a great time to watch this movie.  If you are not proud of your country once you get done watching it, then maybe you should watch it again. 

Happy (watching)