WITHOUT REMORSE (2021)

 

Directed By: Stefano Sellima Written By: Taylor Sheridan & Will Staples  Based On The Novel By: Tom Clancy  Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot Editor: Matthew Newman 

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Guy Pearce, Lauren London, Cam Gigandet, Brett Gelman, Colman Domingo, Jacob Scipio, Todd Lasance 

An elite Navy SEAL, goes on a path to avenge his wife's murder only to find himself inside of a larger conspiracy.

Considering the talent involved. This should have been a much better film. 

The film feels more like a revenge saga that happens to have espionage and the government more on its mind and just adds that revenge to make it more personal for the lead.

The film's most memorable action sequences are shown in the trailer and seem to be used quickly within the film's first hour.

This is a totally joyless film with no sense of fun or any real excitement. 

When it comes to most espionage films. I usually find myself confused and having to watch a few times to work out exactly what happened or went down. This film comes off as simplified or maybe as I get older I pay closer attention. This film feels way too simple.

The film runs into the Wonder Woman example of the hero being encouraged and supported. Only to find out by the end. He is the true enemy following the keep your friends close and your enemy closer mentality. The prick character thought out thought to be the villain is actually a red herring and the closest to an ally the main character might have.

Screenwriter Taylor Sheridan is used to writing these types of films but here he is working with previously written material. So he can only do so much.

The film has an epic story that feels more like it is told and is more compact than it should be.

Which considering director Stefano Sollima’s previous work. He seems to always make the focus sharp but seems to limit the action which feels all over the place as it feeds into a vast conspiracy that is international and worldwide, but by the end feels way too simplified and compact. 

Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot manages to make the images sumptuous enough that you can see the richness in the colors making everything vivid while being mysterious. 

The film keeps your interest but by the end doesn’t feel worth it. As there are way too many conveniences. It doesn’t help that star Michael B. Jordan and co-Star Jodie Turner-Smith feel like they are in two different films and most of us would rather be in the one she’s in. As it feels stronger like her performance. Whereas Michael B. Jordan comes off as a one-note. In pure action hero mode and not a charismatic one. Is that supposed to be for him to feel more realistic?

In the end, the film is entertaining enough but never feels like it goes far enough. So that by the end it is one of the few films made from Tom Clancy’s novels that feels small scale 

Grade: C-