With the start of a new movie year, the multiplex will present another entry in the genre that seems to have become a January tradition: the “inspired by true events” action thriller set in a recent military conflict. Although several had limited December releases in NY and La to qualify for Oscars, most had a “wide” release this month: Lone Survivor in 2014, American Sniper in 2015, and 13 Hours in 2016. Many have a “name” action star leading the charge, like Mark Wahlberg and Bradley Cooper. This time it’s Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, prominent in the posters, looking determined while astride his black stallion. You heard that right, on horseback. So, in some ways this could be a modern wartime western. We just had a reboot of The Magnificent Seven, so this flick goes five better to tell the tale of a dozen fighting men , they’re definitely 12 Strong.

Using archival news footage,...