High-Octane
Summary
Shadow Force takes a while for the real action to kick in but it’s worth the wait and I really liked the characters making this well worth checking out.
Plot: An estranged couple with a bounty on their heads must go on the run with their son to avoid their former employer, a unit of shadow ops that has been sent to kill them.
Review: The title Shadow Force immediately grabbed my attention as it sounded like a cool, old-fashioned action picture. The trailers gave off Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes, but Shadow Force manages to do its own thing.
Starring Omar Sy and Kerry Washington, Shadow Force has s slowburn first half focusing on the relationship of our leads Kyrah, Isaac and their son Ky. We know that they used to be part of a clandestine group known as Shadow Force, but when Kyrah and Isaac went off script by falling in love, they knew they’d have to disappear. Kyrah takes it upon herself to stay away from her husband and son to protect them, leaving Isaac to raise Ky alone. It’s a huge sacrifice, but after 5 years Isaac and Ky appear on CCTV and their old boss Jack Cinder (Mark Strong) wants to take them all out as he thinks they betrayed him.
Strong always makes for an entertaining antagonist and he seems to be enjoying himself here too; I love the scene where he fights his own henchmen just to prove he’s still got it.
Although the first half isn’t packed with action, it’s the final half hour where it really kicks into high gear with shoot-outs, fights and an awesome speedboat chase. The action is slickly done and is worth the build up with characters that are appealing too. I thought Omar Sy was great in his scenes with his son and it’s a rare occasion when a kid nearly steals the show. Ky is a wonderful character who is a big fan of Lionel Ritchie singing along with some of his classic songs.
I would happily watch a sequel with these characters returning as they are likeable yet badass and I could see them on different adventures in the future.
Overall, Shadow Force may be a bit slow in the first half, but when the action does come in the second half it’s worth the wait with a speedboat chase, firefights and fight scenes. The characters are appealing too making this worth checking out.