Chris ‘Thor’ Hemsworth looks to have unleashed a stellar new action franchise.
Just as Covid hit three years ago, we were delivered with a serviceable Jason Bourne-esque thriller vehicle from Netflix – one of the first films to fill the cinematic closure void.
Even though it was fairly straightforward fare, Hemsworth’s former Black Ops mercenary Tyler Rake proved to be a fan favourite – and this sequel pretty much improves on it in every way. Bigger, bolder and better.
Even though it undoubtedly borrows heavily from the aforementioned Bourne, John Wick and countless Jason Statham films, this is definitely the start of something grander – especially with the addition of Idris Elba’s mysterious stranger as a new pivotal character.
This movie basically consists of three long action sequences – the breathtaking prison/train set piece being arguably the best – as Rake returns from the dead to try and ‘extract’ his ex-sister-in-law and kids from a Georgian prison. And out of the grasp of her abusive husband, who gets killed in the process. Which leads to his ruthless big brother Zurab (Tornike Gogrichiani) and his goons going all out for revenge.
Which means trailing Rake – along with returning colleagues Nik (Golshifteh Farahani) and Yaz (Adam Bessa) – and his escaped prisoners to Vienna for the next big kick-ass section.
It does fizzle a touch into generic territory for the final third, but by then your thirst would have well and truly been quenched by a plethora of cleverly choreographed action – and Hemsworth’s likeable hero.
Which makes this an exhilarating way to remove yourself from reality for a couple of hours – and is more impressive than it had any right to be.
ESP Rating: 4/5
Gavin Miller
Netflix Exclusive, Out Now
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Tornike Gogrichiani, Olga Kurylenko & Idris Elba
Running Time: 2 Hrs 2 Mins
Director: Sam Hargrave
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