"It is no longer the guilt of surviving that I carry with me, but the honor of knowing my brothers as you know them, as heroes." -Brendon McDonough

Brendon McDonough was a wildland firefighter who was a part of the Granite Mountain Hotshots located in Prescott, Arizona. He was also the only firefighter from his crew of 20 people who survived the Yarnell Fire in 2013. The film, "Only the Brave" is a biographical drama film which highlights the story of a group of firefighters who fight fiercely to protect their land from hazardous wildfires. It focuses on the two main protagonists Eric Marsh who is the superintendent of the wildfire group and Brendon McDonough who is a recently recovered addict who decided to turn his life around after finding out he is going to be a father. The story follows many of the firefighters' lives and gives insight into their loved ones and personal struggles. But most of all, this film is a tribute to those 19 lives lost when trying to protect others from the Yarnell Fire. "Only the Brave" demands to be watched only in theaters because of its immersive and captivating scenery, relatability to certain communities and its impactful true story which deserves to be viewed.

This film has amazing imagery and helps captivate not only the danger in wildfires but the encapsulating beauty that the firefighters see in it. Being able to see this film in a theater entrances the viewers into an immersive experience which helps them understand and feel the gravity of the movie. For instance, in a couple different scenes we see a massive bear made of flames running through a forest on fire. This can be interpreted in many ways but when it first appears they describe it as beautiful and tragic. This is a representation of the conflicting relationship that firefighters such as Eric Marsh have with the fires they face. He often during the film speaks directly at the fire as if it is a living being and in some cases hints at its eerie beauty.

Not only was this film filled with breathtaking imagery but it also was extremely relatable for many towns and people throughout California. Seeing this film in a theater for me and my hometown community was extremely emotional and understandable. Our hometown was struck by a wildfire in 2017 during the same week this film was released. Over half of the town was evacuated, my family included. The Tubbs fire took out more than 5,600 structures and half of those were located in Santa Rosa. For the people of Santa Rosa this film was so relatable that when I left the theater people next to me were crying because they could understand the loss and appreciate the bravery. We understand now how much hard work and struggle these firefighters put into saving our community. After seeing all of the loss that was left as ash from the Tubbs fire, we are able to cherish everything remaining that was saved by brave firefighters.

Lastly, this film pays ultimate tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots and all firefighters lost in any battle in order to protect others. It also gives us a front row seat into what the lives of these hotshots looked like. The hard moments where they dug lines for hours to stop the fire from spreading or cut down burning trees to avoid any danger. We see how dangerous these tasks can be for example when one of them gets bitten by a rattlesnake or another almost gets crushed by a tree. It teaches us how to appreciate everything they do and see what all of their hard work looks like in a very captivating setting. Those 20 men who were a part of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were brave enough to face the flames head on when others were most likely to run. This movie honors those 19 lives lost and also represents all of the other firefighters out there who continue to be brave and risk their lives everyday to help protect their communities.

"Only the Brave" means exactly what you think it means. Only the bravest of people could do what these firefighters do.The emotions that one feels during this film can not be felt to the same extent if watched on just the ordinary T.V. at home. It deserves to be experienced on a big screen in a dark room surrounded by a community of people who can respect and admire the 19 men and families that lost their lives or loved ones in order to help save others. Those 19 men will never be forgotten and this film helps share and change their narrative from a devastating tragedy into a heroic legacy.