This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Island Getaway
Plot Overview
Four
US Navy SEAL's, their pilot, and a CIA analyst deploy to a European black
island where various radicals are kept and grilled. They are to transfer,
double-time, “businessman” Amin Mansur (Waleed Elgadi)
to base and then the states for reasons unspecified. His buddies who
want him silenced swarm the facility in overwhelming numbers,
but they hadn't counted on his new protectors, just that there wasn't
anywhere else for him to be held. The SEAL's make a desperate stand (“We're diggin'
in”) employing their superior training, but they reckon that
at most they've just delayed the inevitable as their ammo runs low and rescue is nowhere in sight.
Ideology
Having not
found their quarry in the prison population, the radicals do a fast
interrogation & execution of staff members and peacemakers,
some answering better than others. (Eccl. 2:13) “Then I saw that wisdom
excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.” Most
withhold critical information, but a negress admin assistant gives the game away
and colored Deputy Site Manager Tom Shields (Terence Maynard) further
rats the guy out (“Lieutenant, I'm gonna give him up”)
hoping to spare themselves. So much for solidarity. (Eccl. 2:14) “The wise man's eyes
are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived
also that one event happeneth to them all.” Their end is all
the same, a bullet to the head.
The radicals have their own method
to breach the redoubt: suicide bomber Adamat (Andrei Maniata) who
is promised a painless death, virgins in paradise, and an everlasting
remembrance. Right. (Eccl. 2:16)
“For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool
for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be
forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.” The mercenaries
are expendable.
(Eccl. 9:13-15) “This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.”
CIA analyst Zoe Anderson (Ashley Greene) has been with the agency a mere three years and is not a field operative by any means. She is substituting for her boss whose ride fell through. The “pretty lady” looks more like a “prom date” than a combatant. She's like to throw up in the helicopter, this being her first time in one. The he-men treat her like a brainless desk jockey. Yet it is she who overcomes the bureaucracy that delays their man's release, and she is the one who gives the asset her own vest, saving his life and costing hers. She holds the key to unlocking his critical intel saving DC from a 9-11 type disaster. Is she honored for her role? Hardly. She's CIA. The most she'll ever get is her name on some wall deep in the bowels of Langley. She can't be acknowledged.
(Eccl. 9:16) “Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” Prison commander Jack Yorke (Ryan Philippe) did nothing but put her down and introduce delay.
(Eccl. 9:17) “The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.” He ordered Lt. Harris to stand down, who replied, “I have my orders.”
(Eccl. 9:18) “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” This one man was like to compromise the whole mission.
Production Values
“” was directed by James Nunn who wrote the story, and Jamie Russell did the screenplay. It stars Scott Adkins, Ryan Philippe, and Ashley Greene. Adkins and Greene were outstanding in the lead roles. Jess Liaudin made a frightful French-Algerian Jihadist leader. Other actors did fine in parts sparse on dialogue.
The movie is unrated in the
United States. The roving camera was
stabilized to avoid jitters. It used a technique pioneered by Alfred
Hitchcock in his movie, “Rope”
(1948) shot in one continuous take. The same technique was
successfully employed in the 2011 film, “Silent House.” Here it was done in a series
of long takes stitched together where the breaks wouldn't be noticed. The
effect is to pull the audience right into the action. The camera work is
slick as the devil. Runtime is 1 hour 36 minutes.
Review Conclusion w/a Christian's Recommendation
The Christian
in this movie is Navy SEAL Brandon
“Whit” Whitaker (Emmanuel Imani) a darky from the South judging
by his speech. His goal is to get home soon to Tia. He reads a self-help
book in the copter. He's the last one out following the other men. He quits
himself well in battle, not killing unnecessarily and praying that his
occupation not be held against him at the pearly gates. In fact he has
turned to tend a wounded comrade-in-arms when he meets his end.
This is one tense action movie! Quite a rush. Simple plot and not excessively gory. For battle action freaks especially.
Movie Ratings
Action factor: Edge of your seat action-packed. Suitability for Children: Suitable for children 15+ years with guidance. Special effects: Well done special effects. Video Occasion: Fit For a Friday Evening. Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall movie rating: Three and a half stars out of five.
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