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 b-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+

HAVOC (2025)

Written & Directed By Gareth Evans

Cinematography: Matt Flannery 

Editor: Sara Jones and Matt Platts-Mills 

Cast: Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Forest Whitaker, Timothy Olyphant, Luis Guzman, Quelin Sepulveda, Justin Cornwell, Sunny Pang, Yeo Yann Yann, Michelle Waterson

After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective must fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son, unraveling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city.

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Gareth Evans is truly an Auteur and filmmaker whose work you’re excited to see especially when he has a new project. As unfortunately it seems like it took way too long for this film to come out as it was completed in 2021 and the postproduction took four years to make the film and in certain things you can notice where the reshoot have been done.

No, he is so strong a filmmaker that a new film from him is usually worth the wait. As many tried to copy his style, but none do it quite as well, or as over the top and make it just seem fluid.

Like a modern-day John Woo, so many people try and attempt to copy his style even though as soon as you watch it it’s so distinct if you’ve seen any of his films before you recognize it immediately and it’s always more Hand to hand  in close quarters, with a weapon thrown in time to time and doesn’t shy away from any of the violence, choreography, individuals, or perfectly together Almost to Tango Or a modernfied dance . I was on creation just modify.

If this is what it takes now, we have to wait all this time for films like this it’s more than worth it because each time out of the gate if somethings so regional visual exciting it’s an experience that it feels like most modern action films have a bit of it at times and sometimes come close, but never can quite figure out the formula it’s like having a meal after dealing with so much fast food and restaurants and if each time

out of the gate, produces something that memorable than you, my friend are a master of your class 

while this film certainly won’t win any Oscars, except for maybe in the future for stunt coordination. This movie is an action fans, wet, dream, and fans of cinema. it is something so visually Exciting with a perfectly cast Tom Hardy at the center of y’all

Gareth and Timo Tjhajanto (NIGHT COMES

FOR US) are really the ones at the head of the class For action filmmaking. The difference is that Timo makes more Low budget foreign action films but they come Out more often and at a brisker Pace 

Usually Cold-hearted, so That no one is truly safe. Which does add an excitement to the film, but also a certain sadness.

Not only is it brutal action, but So much overkill

No, I’m not gonna lie and say that this film is perfect. There are plenty of flaws for all the Hand to hand combat. There is plenty of gun use and it seems like every weapon somehow becomes a machine gun even at first pistols so that feels a little ridiculous at times and of course no one seems to ever really need to reload unless the plot calls for it and to make that character victim or use their weapons to defend themselves while trying to reload the weapon and the story Makes sense as much as it needs to, but it is not necessarily the best well plotted.

Even one of the villains played by Timothy Olyphant you just wonder why an actor of his quality is even in the film as of course he’s a representation of evil and crooked cop. Thou and most of the action scenes even as he survives he doesn’t really seem to do much damage or be that dangerous you know obviously he’s a random selves and protect himself, but he doesn’t seem like a scary enough villain to be that powerful or one we have to worry about.

Just as it would be nice to see much more of the Asian gangsters a little bit more maybe a little bit more drama or showing how bad ass their leader is instead of just limiting her to really one scene of showing how dangerous she can be and that’s it really, other then being a leader of a threatening force.

while I truly enjoyed the film, I will admit that it’s probably more of the action that I am a fan of when it comes to this film as if you go into the film and just don’t think too hard about it I think it’s a very enjoyable film, but if you break it down and pay attention to certain aspects of it, that’s where you might have little problems that all combined to kind of put a dent in the hole and never at least for Supv it’s still one of the better films, especially action films that Netflix has produced Or released.

Even Tom Hardy again gives a great performance. He’s doing better with his American accents as this film He doesn’t sound as dopey or stupid as he can whenever he hast to do an American accent here. It at least sounds a little more tough and normal.

No filmed in Wales. The film takes place in a nondescript. What is supposed to be? I’m guessing American city and at times it almost feels like a made up city from a film Wonderland. I love the crow or maybe even dark city it’s not a very important part, but it would’ve been nice if it could’ve been a little bit well defined by its location as it’s not the most important thing, but it does help the film re-ground in a little bit more.

The log cabin scene towards the end will be remembered for years as an action highlight for many.

The film is worth checking out and giving a chance.  it’s going to Divide audiences but it will definitely have a crowd of fans for it. It definitely  should be released and seen on the big screen.

Grade: B