Hidden Strike movie review (2023)
The streamlined plot of “Hidden Strike” follows Jackie Chan‘s character, Luo Feng, on a daring mission to rescue civilians trapped in a war-ravaged zone. As a seasoned military leader, Feng leads a skilled team of soldiers into the heart of battle. Parallelly, John Cena portrays Chris Van Horne, who dedicates himself to a remote desert village, driven by an inexplicable commitment to safeguarding the local children. This narrative element subtly mirrors Cena’s real-life dedication to his young fans across the globe.
The casting of Chan and Cena is an intuitive choice for an action-packed and engaging cinematic experience. The combination of Chan’s trademark parkour-fu style and Cena’s powerful brawler approach not only complements each other but also adds to the entertainment value. A remarkable aspect is their shared comedic flair, which elevates their on-screen partnership. Hollywood has seen the emergence of films featuring action that defies the laws of physics and logic, and this movie squarely embraces that genre, allocating its budget wisely, particularly for the climactic set piece. Director Scott Waugh’s work exudes inspiration drawn from the acclaimed “Mad Max: Fury Road,” evident in both the visual style and even in certain motifs within the background score. Nonetheless, there are instances where the integration of green screen effects appears less seamless than desired, with some scenes bearing the consequences of rushed visual effects.
However, the film compensates with Jackie Chan’s decades-long mastery of hand-to-hand combat, resulting in mind-bending fight choreography. Despite the passage of time, Chan’s skills remain impressive, as demonstrated in an unexpected sequence involving foam. Conversely, John Cena’s knack for spontaneous dialogue delivery finds its place as he peppers his brawling scenes with witty ad-libs, effectively diffusing tension. While neither Chan nor Cena are renowned for their Oscar-worthy acting, they harmonize well, bouncing energy off one another to produce amusing outcomes. The significance of their star power cannot be overstated, making them indispensable assets to the film. In a predictable yet highly enjoyable manner, “Hidden Strike” adeptly exploits the talents of Chan and Cena to deliver on-screen entertainment. Given their substantial celebrity-driven influence, the film’s potential success could naturally pave the way for a sequel. In essence, “Hidden Strike” is an intellectually undemanding yet entertaining offering that effectively capitalizes on the charisma of its lead stars.
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