My America Space Mountain (2012) Online

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film given the title, but the focus is a young man relating a story from serving in Afghanistan. The story is one of danger and excitement but also about responsibility, and for many reasons it is engaging and well told. The enthusiasm and the seeming immunity to the fact that these events could have killed him, seem natural and convincing throughout, and the passion and precision of the telling adds to this.

This speaks to the dangers and the attitudes of those serving overseas in warzones, but also acknowledges that the goal is to do good – albeit that 'good' is not always something their leaders have clearly defined. We are used to hearing about when people mess up, whether in small ways or in very public ways – all things that damage the image of a nation, which is a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of young men and women. This comes across from this tale, but is not forced or feeling like a point is being made, rather it just 'is', in the way all of the detail and feelings are natural.

The film is not delivered in one shot as is my preference, but to be honest I had to look back to confirm this because it had such a good flow to it that I didn't noticed the edits because my focus was on the words – and the edits don't break up that movement. A good story which extends in the mind rather than the screen, and is better for it.