Tom Clancy and international conspiracies. Nothing groundbreaking. Even Co-writer Taylor Sheridan, well known for Hell Or High Water, and personal underrated favourite, Wind River, can’t save what’s been done so many times before.
After John Kelly’s (Michael B. Jordan – Just Mercy) pregnant wife gets murdered by a bunch of Russian soldiers – duh, what did you expect, the Navy SEAL sets out for good old fashioned revenge. Slowly he uncovers an international conspiracy, and embarks on a mission to find the assassins with fellow SEAL, Karen Greer (Jodie Turner-Smith – Queen & Slim) and sketchy CIA-agent, Robert Ritter (Jamie Bell who rocks a convincing American accent). When all roads lead to Russia and a war between them and the United States of America becomes a major threat, it’s no longer a revenge mission, but a life and death situation that defies all rules on loyalty and honor to Kelly’s homeland.
Director Stefano Sollima (Sicario: Day of the Soldado) does a decent job at directing this cliché ridden action vehicle, but can’t change the fact that Sheridan and video game screenplay writer Will Staples‘ writing is below par. Luckily there’s a ton of knife- and gun fights that make you feel as if you’re watching cut scenes out of a video game, and a modern take on Titanic that involves an airplane – which was kinda badass.
Without Jordan’s star power, this film wouldn’t get any attention. The rest of the cast, Bell not included, is just “there”. They don’t bring much to the table and especially Turner-Smith seems miscast, and often looks lost. And this comes from someone who absolutely adored her in Queen & Slim. Other known names like recent awards favourite Colman Domingo (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and forgotten heartthrob Cam Gigandet (Burlesque) have about two minutes of screentime combined.
Paramount was right to sell this to Amazon, because Without Remorse screams streaming movie. There’s no shame in that, Netflix is a pro at pumping these action flicks out like it’s nothing – some successful, others not so much, but don’t be fooled by the flashy trailer, because most of the good bits have already been shared with us.
Coulda woulda shoulda, but without remorse I have to inform you that both seasons of Jack Ryan, also on Amazon Prime, are a much better use of your time.
Launching Globally on Prime Video April 30th, 2021
Review – Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse
Reviewed online (screener provided by publicist), April 25, 2021. Rating: R. Running time: 110 min.
PRODUCTION: An Amazon Prime Video release of a Midnight Radio, Outlier Society, Weed Radio Pictures, Amazon Studios, Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media production in association with New Republic Pictures. Producers: Josh Appelbaum, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Akiva Goldsman, Don Granger, Michael B. Jordan, André Nemec. Executive producers: Bradley J. Fischer, Gregory Lessans, Brian Oliver, Denis L. Stewart.
CREW: Director: Stefano Sollima. Writers: Taylor Sheridan, Will Staples (based on the novel by Tom Clancy). Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot. Editing: Matthew Newman. Music: Jon Thor Birgisson.
CAST: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell, Guy Pearce, Lauren London, Jacob Scipio, Todd Lasance, Jack Kesy, Cam Gigandet, Colman Domingo.