IN BRIEF: Overblown spy thriller that grows more contrived with each predictable twist and turn.
JIM'S REVIEW: (MILDLY RECOMMENDED) There will be explosions, fights, and convoluted political intrigue. After all, we are in Tom Clancy Country. The plot is basically God bless the USA and kill anyone in your way, especially those Commies. Director Stefano Sollima's Without Remorse is a basic rehash of most of Mr. Clancy's successful novels. The plot devices continue to work...just change the titles. The film is hardly based on his 27 year-old book written in 1993; only the title and some characters remain. This film version has been updated for today's mindset with enough violence and high adrenaline action to suffice any non-discriminating moviegoer.
A Navy Seal named John Kelly (Michael B. Jordan) is out for revenge and embarks on an international espionage Cold War mission. The talented Mr. Jordan is always good and he fills the role as The All-American Black Hero very nicely. He may not have superpowers, but he heals quickly, looks awfully sexy, and can pack a powerful punch. Jamie Bell and Guy Pierce are also on hand in supporting roles, but it is only a winning Jodie Turner-Smith as Karen Greer, Kelly's commanding officer and loyal friend, that cuts a convincing figure.
The screenplay by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples bears little resemblance to the novel, but it mimics Mr. Clancy's persona quite well. The story is just a mere outline, a way of moving from Point A to Point B. It's rote storytelling, but still an alluring ruse and justification for all of the brutal action surrounding it. The sudden twists and turns are not at all surprising, just bewildering. Conspiracy theories, double crosses, gunfire, car crashes, political hyperbole, and villainy are commonplace here, They are mere filler for the well-choreographed stunt work and hand-to-hand combat scenes that frequent the movie.
As the film tries to unravel its mystery, the narrative becomes more complicated than needed, with an overabundance of LOL (Leaps of Logic) around every corner. By the time we get to the conclusion, the storyline, plus John Kelly's larger-than-life heroic deeds, become more ludicrous, just a few paces this side of absurd. No one could survive some of these physical wartime encounters and come away basically unscathed as our hero does on numerous occasions. Somebody give this man a cape and some colorful spandex tights already!
Despite a strong performance given by the ever-reliable Mr. Jordan, Without Remorse is standard spy stuff...nothing more and definitely less. (GRADE: C)
JIM'S REVIEW: (MILDLY RECOMMENDED) There will be explosions, fights, and convoluted political intrigue. After all, we are in Tom Clancy Country. The plot is basically God bless the USA and kill anyone in your way, especially those Commies. Director Stefano Sollima's Without Remorse is a basic rehash of most of Mr. Clancy's successful novels. The plot devices continue to work...just change the titles. The film is hardly based on his 27 year-old book written in 1993; only the title and some characters remain. This film version has been updated for today's mindset with enough violence and high adrenaline action to suffice any non-discriminating moviegoer.
A Navy Seal named John Kelly (Michael B. Jordan) is out for revenge and embarks on an international espionage Cold War mission. The talented Mr. Jordan is always good and he fills the role as The All-American Black Hero very nicely. He may not have superpowers, but he heals quickly, looks awfully sexy, and can pack a powerful punch. Jamie Bell and Guy Pierce are also on hand in supporting roles, but it is only a winning Jodie Turner-Smith as Karen Greer, Kelly's commanding officer and loyal friend, that cuts a convincing figure.
The screenplay by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples bears little resemblance to the novel, but it mimics Mr. Clancy's persona quite well. The story is just a mere outline, a way of moving from Point A to Point B. It's rote storytelling, but still an alluring ruse and justification for all of the brutal action surrounding it. The sudden twists and turns are not at all surprising, just bewildering. Conspiracy theories, double crosses, gunfire, car crashes, political hyperbole, and villainy are commonplace here, They are mere filler for the well-choreographed stunt work and hand-to-hand combat scenes that frequent the movie.
As the film tries to unravel its mystery, the narrative becomes more complicated than needed, with an overabundance of LOL (Leaps of Logic) around every corner. By the time we get to the conclusion, the storyline, plus John Kelly's larger-than-life heroic deeds, become more ludicrous, just a few paces this side of absurd. No one could survive some of these physical wartime encounters and come away basically unscathed as our hero does on numerous occasions. Somebody give this man a cape and some colorful spandex tights already!
Despite a strong performance given by the ever-reliable Mr. Jordan, Without Remorse is standard spy stuff...nothing more and definitely less. (GRADE: C)