head of a mission to retrieve a Dr. Lena Hendricks Monica Bellucci from the Nigerian jungle, after Muslim rebels have just assassinated the presidential family, and are on a rampage throughout the country. Hendricks is located easily, but she will only leave so long as all able-bodied individuals on her mission can come along. Waters reluctantly agrees, but soon finds that he and his group must trek the jungles with no assistance and with 300 Nigerian soldiers hot on their trail.Tears of the Sun works as a thoughtful film, but is more successful as a tension-builder. Director Fuqua shows an able hand at building suspense to a feverish pitch, all the way to the concluding battle sequence, a fifteen minute setpiece that rivals any recent war film in both intensity and technical superiority. The other major action setpiece is a tense shootout in a village, the aftermath of which is disturbing in its revelation of the rebels' treatment of civilians. Tears of the Sun is a violent film, but never exploitative in its approach. The film's two best developed characters belong to Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci. Willis has always been a fine actor, this understated approach has worked for him before and fits like a glove here. I'm not quite as familiar with Bellucci, who I've only seen in Brotherhood of the Wolf and as one of the brides in Bram Stoker's Dracula, but she's quite good here, easily the film's anchor when it comes to heart and warmth. I'm certainly not exaggerating when I say she's one of the most beautiful and bodacious women to ever grace the screen and I look forward to her in the upcoming Matrix sequels . There are flaws, such as the rather obtrusive musical score and some pretentious use of slow motion on Fuqua's behalf. The film's biggest narrative stumble comes with a plot twist 3/4's through the movie, when an extraneous plot twist is revealed. Admittedly, without the twist, the film wouldn't have been able to build up as much suspense, much less deliver that final battle. But when all is said and done, Tears of the Sun is highly recommended, a Hollywood film that has more on its mind than explosion and gunfights which the movie still has an ample amount of .

an entire village of poor sick people be taken on helicopters to avoid brutality and rape from Terrorists. There are very graphic scenes that does not leave much to your imagination and sparks and passion does seem to occur between Lt. Waters and Dr. Kendricks. In order to enjoy this film, be patient with the beginning and stay with the film, you definitely will enjoy the entire picture.

think that says a lot about how good this film is. Sometimes a film just lives in your heart.

religious and moral convictions, prepared to die to help and protect others. This comes across in the decisions she takes and the willingness to stand strong under pressure.Having seen the Documentary on the special features section of the DVD afterwards, I could see the incredible lengths that everyone attached to the filming went to. Each of the actors playing Seal Team members, went through some very authentic training in preparation and stayed in character outside of filming during the day. Given the commitment of all those attached to the film, I can see why the film is what it is.The director, Antoine Fuqua, from the films I have seen in which he directed, brings a strong moral theme to his characters and the story. The whole visual manner of filming, camera angles, close ups etc adds to the intensity here.The choice of filter during filming, that gives a subdued and darker feeling visually, was perfect. The use of Africans as extras was an interesting and a suitable choice, given their backgrounds. Many of these extras were showing genuine emotions which was captured on camera, as they relived traumatic moments in their lives when certain scenes were filmed.On that note, one scene in particular made for very difficult viewing, but totally in context and I would expect it would provoke a strong reaction from viewers, for good reason. The actual combat scenes are kept selectively short and in context to the overall film. They are also very realistic. The soundtrack was well suited and complimented the whole overall feel to the film. I would not say that this film was entertaining, it is very hard to watch but it is an example of good film that will challenge everyone who watches it and who has a conscience.After seeing this film, as with Hotel Rwanda and Tears of the Sun, I am constantly reminded of our individual and collective moral responsibilities in the 'civilised Western World' when atrocities are committed. And it sits badly with my conscience that 'we' in the West do so little and so late in trying to stop such genocide from happening. I for one think that every adult should see it.

arriving at her clinic she refuses to leave unless 70 refugees are taken to safe haven with them.Water's, a fiercely loyal man decides that the only way to complete the mission is to save them too. Now it is a race across the Nigerian jungle with ruthless rebels chasing them. I'm still not sure if this is based on actual events, I know that many countries in Africa have gone through civil war but I'm not sure about this.Bruce Willis' character develops through the duration of the movie from a hardened soldier to a complex, caring character focused on saving the refugees. Monica Bellucci is making a name for herself with this, The Passion of the Christ 2004 and both matrix sequels 2003-2004 . The movie did not receive what it deserved. this could probably be considered the predecessor of Hotel Rwanda 2004 focusing on the same subject of genocide. The film is slow at some parts but the amazing battle scenes held in the forest and the representation of cruelty of the rebels keep the movie going. Some scenes are hard to endure, the slaughter of an entire village including the children and babies. Bombs incinerating refugees as the run from the rebels.The movie doesn't stray from its point and the ignoring of the world toward the civil wars raging in Africa currently Sudan .Tears of the Sun. Starring: Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, Cole Hauser, Eamonn Walker, Tom Skerritt, and Mick Chinlund.4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

thought it superb.In the tradition of many films such as "Operation: Burma", "Distant Drums", "Predator", and many others, an elite team goes on a mission behind enemy lines and has to march out fighting along the way. Willis' team was sent to rescue some white missionaries and a doctor in Nigeria being threatened by Muslim ethnic Fulanis who were massacring the Christian Ibo. The missionaries, typically, won't leave, and the good-looking female doctor, Monica Bellucci, with shirt conveniently unbuttoned at the top, will not leave without her patients, those who can walk. But there is a crucial secret about this she tells no one, endangering the entire mission - some the refugees are not what they seem.But the epiphany for Willis' character is seeing the massacred mission they just left, that after having lied to the doctor and abandoned her refugees and patients while flying away on helicopters. Exactly WHY Willis he has this epiphany, this revelation, to GO BACK in violation of orders to rescue these refugees, is never fully explained: he himself said "I'm trying to figure it out". Perhaps it doesn't even matter - what matters is he DID take a moral and humane course.They continue the march out of Nigeria heading towards the Cameroon border, all the while being suspiciously tracked all too easily by pursuing Fulanis, who for some reason seem very determined to stop them. Again, one of the refugees is not what he seems.After the climactic fight upon reaching Cameroon, the film ends with the famous Edmund Burke quote, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". President Bush is NOT going to "do nothing" about Saddam Hussein, and that is why liberal reviewers feel so uncomfortable with this movie.The gore was much less than "Blackhawk Down", although some atrocities are referred to, but not shown in great detail. Some younger teenagers could see this, but I doubt if they'd appreciate the moral dilemma facing the Willis' character and his men: obey orders and abandon innocent people to certain horrible death, or, take action and do what is necessary. For those interested, there was also a lot less military hardware on display here.My complaints were minor. Eastern Nigeria looked a bit too much like Hawaii, which is where it was filmed. Willis was slightly too laconic, but good enough. One American character was an obligatory black man making reference to "my people". Puhleeze.Good film. Entertaining and compelling all the way. With a message very relevant for the world in 2003 - a cowardly world willing to do nothing about terrorists and mass murderers. You can also be sure the Hollywood liberal America-haters will despise this movie.

see how he does in that. Almost...But back to the movie. The plot won't stretch your mind much and the "strange" reason why the rebels pursue the refugees so ardently isn't very hard to guess long before the characters in the story discover it. But the action is plentiful, as is the brutality portrayed. If you like sanitized action movies then this film might upset you a little. It's not for those who think that war is about pushing buttons from hundreds of miles away or that all soldiers carry a copy of the Geneva Convention in their kit and consult it regularly.But if you like gritty, realistic action movies then this will not disappoint.And now....a small rant.Oh dear God! I can't believe some of the truly stupid comments here. The concept that this movie's sole purpose was as a propaganda vehicle to make people feel better about the Iraq conflict is laughable to anyone who has a higher IQ than their shoe size. And as for Hollywood constantly portraying Americans as the great saviours....well why the hell not? Who in God's name wants to go and be depressed watching "the good guys" shoot innocents and ignore suffering. Yeah, that'd do real well at the box office! Movies are meant to entertain and make you feel good, not come out of the theatre wanting to slash your wrists. Jeez! Get a grip you people.Thank you....end of rant.

persecution. Critics also don't like to see the right thing being exalted.Willis is perfect for this role as the strong, stone-faced leader. Monica Bellucci could have been a little more likable as the doctor. The story gets a little too melodramatic at the end, but it's tolerable. This is not a family film by any means, because of the violence, perhaps 20 f- words and a dozen abuses of the Lord's name in vain. Still, an interesting movie with a different slant, and at least has a noble message.

they almost kiss - simply no need the movie runs along pretty well and was by turns very tense, exciting and fairly moving.Most importantly I felt it provided a thought provoking picture of what ethnic cleansing might really be like, something that film makers hesitate to explore. War time atrocities are one of those things that we all have a fair idea about but that are rarely portrayed. This movie did a VERY good job of describing awful atrocities without being overly gory or, worse, sensationalist and the use of humiliation and subordination as a weapon was subtly demonstrated.Technical aspects aside the soldiers were convincingly concerned about the refugees without overt "We're all such goddamn heroes, aren't we?" posturing. All the major clichés were utterly avoided, not a single stars and stripes to be seen, not even the remotest hint of patriotic zeal, no mournful brass sections but plenty of Hans "I really need some new material after Gladiator" Zimmer's African melodies. The violence was visceral without being excessively bloody or stylised, and there was a sentimentality that deftly avoided being cheesy.Most importantly Bruce Willis managed to avoid being Bruce Willis for 80% of the time.The nearest thing I would compare this movie to is Black Hawk Down. However, BHD is wedged firmly in the action genre and this really isn't. Yup, there is shooting and violence in it but it manages to not be about that, which I think is a great thing.My advice: grab the DVD version, watch the movie, then watch the trailer/previews included on the disk - you'll wonder if you were watching the same film, the trailer just does not do it justice.