High-Octane
Summary
Take Cover doesn’t have huge action scenes, but Scott Adkins shines in the plentiful fight scenes and it’s a quick watch at 85 minutes. I like the characters of Sam and Ken who have some witty banter and there is more heart to it than you’d maybe expect.
Plot: A burned-out professional sniper finds himself trapped in an all-glass penthouse by a lethal competitor and must find a way to survive and escape with little to no cover between him and the killer.
Review: I love movies about snipers, especially when the main character gets a conscience, and his employers come after him. That’s essentially what Scott Adkins’ latest movie Take Cover is about and although it’s hardly an original concept, I like the discussions about whether his character believes in God and it’s an important part of his arc.
Faith seems to be a key theme for director Nick McKinless as he previously directed a short with that very title.
Take Cover starts off with some banter between Sam (Adkins) and his spotter Ken (Jack Parr) as they watch over a target while discussing if they believe in God. Sam is cynical and needs verification before believing in anything whereas Ken is more open minded. He and Ken just hurl abuse at each other providing a lot of laughs, but things get serious quickly when the hit goes wrong.
I don’t want to say anymore for spoilers, but the rest of the movie mostly takes place in one place with Sam and Ken trapped in a hotel room with a sniper trying to take them out.
At 85 minutes it’s well paced although I found the scene with the hookers talking with the guys went on a little too long and killed the pacing, but it soon picks back up and we get to see Scott doing what he does best. I can’t believe how he can still move in those fight scenes at 48 years old; I’m 46 and I hurt just getting up off my chair. I think it’s time I went back to the gym and got myself in shape again.
Anyway, I feel like this would be an entertaining double bill with the Dolph Lundgren actioner Silent Trigger as it’s a close quarter type of movie which helps to build up the tension.
In terms of action we get several fight scenes and shoot-outs to keep things moving and aside from that one aforementioned sequence, this is well paced and delivers the action goods.
Overall, Take Cover is Scott Adkins at his best still proving in your late 40’s it doesn’t have to hurt getting off the couch. It isn’t anything especially original, but it’s got enough action to be well worth checking out.