FIGHT OR FLIGHT (2025)

 

Directed By: James Madigan 

Written By: Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona 

Cinematography: Matt Flannery 

Editor: Ben Mills 

Cast: Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackoff, Charithra Chandran, Julian Kostov, Marko Zaror, Juju Chan Szeto, Danny Ashok, Hughie O’Donnell 

A mercenary takes on the job of tracking down a target on a plane but must protect that target when they're surrounded by people trying to kill both of them.

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I’ll be honest about this film. This is kind of a B movie version of the Brad Pitt action comedy thriller bullet train only without the All-Star cast is sort of like when straight to home. Video companies would take a title of an upcoming film. Let’s say snakes on a plane and then start making a similar titled film like snakes on a train that was really just a B movie version of that film plot.

Though I have to say even for a movie version of that Brad Pitt film, it sounds very entertaining and quite fun as long as you never quite take it serious. It has the required action that is done well and feels a little bit more realistic by putting the hero in peril a lot more and showing that they are not invincible And can be vulnerable

The assassins here are interesting and quirky, but we don’t spend as much time with them as this is not quite an ensemble film. The first third of the film plays a little mysterious before laying all of it cards on the table. 

This film is filled with double crosses, triple crosses, and goes places where you might not necessarily expected to go, though it does leave itself open to be a franchise 

This is obviously the year for Josh Hartnett between this and the M. Night Shamalayan movie TRAP is here. He is an action hero, but he gets to play into comedy a lot more also and he does it quite well. He is making a comeback and getting to show his range and play to his strengths.

There aren’t really as many or any other big names in this film, except Katee Sackoff as his former partner and superior. 

This is just a fun over the top action film that has the right measure of comedy, action thriller and maybe even a little camp though one can say it’s never boring and you get your moneys worth. It gives you just enough. As it never wears out, it’s welcome. Though it is darker then expected at times.

Like a true bee movie, it always feels not quite as sharp as it should be, and a little off-center, but here it works in its favor, though kind of reminds you of its origins and where in the past, it would have probably ended up now it’s straight to streaming

If looking for something a little more serious that makes sense. This is not your type of film. The film is pretty cut and dry. You’ll quickly be able to tell if this is your type of film or not. 

Grade: C+

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERE (2023)

 

Directed By: Guy Ritchie 

Written By: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies

Cinematography: Alan Stewart

Editor: James Herbert

Cast: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Hugh Grant, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, Eddie Marsan, Max Beesley, Peter Ferdinando, Lourdes Faberes

In the film, super spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds. Reluctantly teamed with some of the world's best operatives,Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood's biggest movie star Danny Francesco to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

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One is kind of surprised by this film as I have to say this is one of the more disappointing movies that Guy Ritchie has ever made, especially as it seems in his wheelhouse. One can see why this was buried and quickly forgotten. As it’s no one‘s best work.

The problem is that this film is just so many things at different times, but then never quite commits to any of them. It’s more of a comedy than anything else, but not with necessarily funny jokes, just situations are ridiculous, and so is the behavior at times, the film constantly feels like a misstep as it is more comedy than action

When there is action, it just feels so basic and not noteworthy, he doesn’t feel that strategic or catching. It just seems more means to an end. 

As you have Jason Statham in the film, and while there’s gunplay, it’s more or less guns than anything.

The film is more ensemble with Josh Hartnett, Aubrey Plaza, and Hugh Grant, so they have their scenes and roles in which they get to shine or show their worth, but again, they never hit the Mark because everything is so broad that there’s nothing that contains the story really.

once guy Richie took over he rewrote the script and still told the cast to pretty much improvised and it feels that way the technical aspects are there, but the dialogue is OK but not quite brilliant repartée

Then the villains are set up, but they keep switching, and none of them are really that effective, it’s almost like they spent so much money trying to get stars in the lead roles that they only had so much money and couldn’t get any other big names to play the villain role.

so watching the film, you know what’s going to happen; there’s no real suspense to anything. It’s sort of like watching the Equalizer films, where Denzel Washington, if you can take out a room and 17 seconds, what hope do the villains at the end have, or put up as a challenge, and it’s the same in this room 

So that this film it’s more of a time waster than anything as nothing quite sticks and plays, smooth and glossy and even every time they seem to set up maybe a character trait it’s quickly forgotten or not used as early in the film one of the reasons that don’t want to use Jason Statham’s spy, character or reluctant is because he seems to try to use excuses and sicknesses to get out of missions, But we don’t get introduced to any of those aspects

Aubrey Plaza’s character seems to have a flirtatious nature where she’s fallen for someone, but we’re never given any reason. Dialogue works for the script and characters. 

Hugh Grant seems to be having a ball with fun villain characters as with more recent roles, he seems to be at least he’s trying to do something different but ultimately it feels like it’s there for no reason . 

While Josh Hartnett is part of the cast and he helps add to the stars name in the cast while also letting him play more comedic role than he has in the past he seems to be in the mission that’s why he’s there but then he’s given very little to do except ask questions and stand around so maybe get some expositional information Then give him or drag him into action sequence car chase really and his character has an about face and that at first you could see as being one-sided, but I guess in the end it kind of makes sense. as it does help open up the film to a new demographic

End it so much once they take out the villain it’s like it feels like there should be more but that’s pretty much it now let’s try some more comedic high jinx.

It just feels like everyone is not necessarily out of their element, but not given anything really to do even though the film seems to want to use their image or public image and talent to help poor or lift the material as otherwise this just comes off as a bland espionage story and script that could’ve been starting and made by anyone there’s nothing quite that special to it.

Now this film did come out when there was a pandemic, though it was filmed after the pandemic. It was postponed for release and finally did in 2023, luckily for it and quickly got released on streaming and was forgotten as this film just feels like a well-funded, but sorry excuse for entertainment, though seems to fit perfectly along with other streaming films as there doesn’t seem to be any passion or much originality

It’s not a horrible film as it is watchable, but it’s just so basic and bland that there’s very little reason other than, again, a time-waster popcorn movie.

Grade: C- 

DIE HART (2022)

 

Directed By: Eric Appel

Written By: Derek Kolstad

Cast: Kevin Hart, Nathalie Emmanuel, John Travolta, Josh Hartnett, Jean Reno, Brandon Quinn, Milana Vayntrub, Kenneth Trujilio

Kevin Hart - playing a version of himself - is on a death-defying quest to become an action star. And with a little help- he just might pull it off.

WRATH OF MAN (2021)

 

Directed By: Guy Ritchie  Written by Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson & Marn Davies  Based on the film “LE CONVEOYEUR” Written By: Nicolas Boukhrief & Eric Basnard Cinematography: Alan Stewart  Editor: James Herbert 

Cast: Jason Statham, Josh Hartnett, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Andy Garcia, Scott Eastwood, Rocci Williams, Laz Alonzo, Eddie Marsan, Raul Castillo, Chris Reilly, Niamh Alger, Rob Delaney, Darell D’Silva, Deobia Oparei, Babs Olussanmokun 

Mysterious and wild-eyed, a new security guard for a cash truck surprises his co-workers when he unleashes precision skills during a heist. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman's ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.

JEFF OF THE CINEFILES & UNFINISHED BUSINESS: HALL OF FAME: FILE #0049: THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (2000)

Written & Directed By: Sofia Coopola 
Based on the book by: Jeffrey Eugenides 
Cinematography By: Edward Lachman 
Editor: Melissa Kent & James Lyons 


Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Scott Glenn, A.J. Cook, Chelse Swain , Hanna Hall, Melody Johnson, Jonathan Tucker, Hayden Christensen, Michael Pare, Robert Schwartzman 


A group of male friends become obsessed with five mysterious sisters who are sheltered by their strict, religious parents in suburban Detroit in the mid-1970s.

HALLOWEEN: H20 - 20 YEARS LATER (1998)

Directed By: Steve Miner 
Written By: Robert Zappia & Matt Greenburg 
Story By: Robert Zappia, Kevin Williamson (Uncredited) 
Based on Characters Created By: Debra Hill & John Carpenter 
 Cinematography By: Daryn Okada 
Editor: Patrick Lussier 

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams, Adam Hann-Byrd, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Janet Leigh, Adam Arkin, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Branden Williams, LL Cool J

HALLOWEEN: H20: 20 YEARS LATER (1998)

Directed By: Steve Miner Written By: Robert Zappia & Matt Greenberg Story By: Robert Zappia Based on Characters Created By: John Carpenter & Debra Hill Cinematograpy By: Daryn Okada Editor: Patrick Lussier Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Harnett, Michelle Williams, Jodi Lyn O’keefe, Adam Arkin, LL Cool J, Adam Hann Byrd, Janet Leigh, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Branden Williams