Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther
The title and storyline may be basic and reminiscent of a B-action flick from the 1980s, but actor Omar Sy adds that special factor to turn this movie into something a bit more. “Shadow Force” is an action thriller inspired by 2005’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” While the plot is similar and simplistic, there is an inclusion of heart that elevates the otherwise nondescript movie.
Former operatives Issac Sarr (Omar Sy) and Kyrah Owens (Kerry Washington) are a couple on the run from their former employer, a shadow ops unit led by Jack Cinder (Mark Strong). To keep each other and their young son Ky (Jahleel Kamara) safe, Kyrah has been away from them for years, actively trying to protect them while the father and son remain in hiding. When a random attempted crime puts little Ky in danger, Issac has no choice but to explode into action which is all caught on camera.
With their location revealed to the deadly group of assassins, Kyrah can rejoin her family. The happy reunion is cut short, however, as Cinder and his team close in on them. Reaching out to the only people she can trust, Auntie (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and Unc (Method Man), Kyrah desperately seeks a way to overcome the situation and finally be able to stop running.
Veteran filmmaker Joe Carnahan directs and co-writes this action/drama, and he does a fine job of presenting a decent moviegoing experience with “Shadow Force.” This director has previously helmed multiple action movies before with films like “Smokin’ Aces,” “The A-Team,” and “The Grey,” so he’s familiar with generating captivating action sequences and keeping the pace quick. Even though there’s a cheapened quality to the gun battles and cinematography, Carnahan keeps audience attention by focusing on the emotional side of the story. Still, the predictable nature of the plot makes this a more suitable option to have gone straight to streaming rather than the theater.
Carnahan does incorporate some humorous elements that lighten the tone a bit, but a lot of these attempts fall flat from poor acting and line delivery. The character development is well done when it comes to the protagonists, but is quite underwhelming for the antagonists, making them all cardboard cutouts and furthering the flat line deliveries. However, Carnahan’s inclusion of Lionel Richie’s music throughout is a nice touch that adds a little more levity.
The most wonderful surprise from this film is veteran French actor Omar Sy, who has primarily been on the fringes his whole career with supporting roles. He gets the opportunity to shine in a starring role here, and he takes full advantage, supplying a complete performance and showcasing his x factor ability of charisma and screen presence. Omar supplies his character with the rich depth of a rugged war-torn body riddled with scars and a resulting disability of deafness but perfectly softens this outer shell with a fatherly kindness and deep-seeded love for his family. He delivers his lines naturally, alternating between English and French, providing the credible emotional impact the film sorely needs, while also executing terrific fight choreography. It’s the type of memorable performance that warrants more leading roles in the future.
His co-star Kerry Washington, on the other hand, offers an unbalanced performance that shows her limitations as an actress. During the many action scenes, she appears completely out of her element with a lack of conviction that undermines her authenticity. Even when she’s holding a gun, she seems ill at ease. This is a shame, because during the more dramatic moments or lighthearted moments, she reels her confidence back in to create more impactful scenes.
The rest of the supporting cast is hit or miss. Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”) is always a delight to watch and she doesn’t disappoint providing the only reliable comic relief. Method Man, mostly known for his rapping, is not half bad in a similarly comical role. As tough as it is to find a decent child actor, Jahleel Kamara is another nice surprise as the stabilizing glue of the story’s emotional investment. On the other side of the coin, the actors playing the antagonists, led by Mark Strong, are laughably generic and stand out in no meaningful way.
Despite its weak showing in the box office for its opening weekend of just over $2 million, “Shadow Force” is actually the better film out of the other new releases. Even though it looks and feels like a lower budget “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” at times, the added emotional element sets it apart. It’s worth it just to see Omar Sy’s shockingly riveting performance.
This movie earns
