Tag: Action

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Movie Review

The Running Man (2025) Movie Review

The Running Man – Movie Review

The Running Man entertains, but never pushes the bigger story.

First Reaction – The Running Man entertains, but never pushes the bigger story.

Director: Edgar Wright

Writer: Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright (Screenplay)

Writer: Stephen King (Novel)

Cast

Plot: A man joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to go anywhere in the world, are pursued by “hunters” hired to kill them.

Runtime: 2 Hours 13 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Running Man starts when blacklisted worker Ben Richards (Powell) becomes desperate to make money for his family. He decides to try out for the network run gameshows. However, his tryout gives him one offer from Dan Killian (Brolin).

Ben reluctantly agrees to take part in the Running Man gameshow, where he must survive 30 days with hunters tracking him down. As he begins the game, he must learn to survive and who to trust, but deep down, others are waiting for him and he learns the truth about the game.

Verdict on The Running Man

Recap

The movie follows a desperate father who signs up for the deadly reality game show. He must survive 30 days to change his family’s life forever. However, there is a catch, and the hunters will track him down at any cost.

Best Parts

The movie flows nicely and uses the typical message of not believing everything you see. It works well reflecting modern society, who see something and decides it is real, without learn more about the material it is sourced from. Even if this story has been told before, it uses the rich and poor divide to the extreme to show society has created a split. Elsewhere, Glen Powell does shine in the leading role of the movie.

Worst Parts

It is always going to be hard not to compare this to the original. It does take the story in a different direction, but the core idea is still the same. However, the hunters lack anything to make them feel original or stand out in any way. The other two contestants don’t get any introduction about what they are about. Finally, the ending feels extremely anticlimactic. In the end, it feels like a safe action movie, which entertains but holds back too much on the bigger message.

Final Thoughts –The Running Man is an entertaining action movie, but it lacks something to make it stand out.

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Movie Review

The Accountant 2 (2025) Movie Review

The Accountant 2 – Movie Review

The Accountant 2 features Christian Wolff solving a murder alongside an FBI agent and his brother, blending action with moral dilemmas.

First Reaction – The Accountant 2 is a good action thriller.

Director: Gavin O’Connor

Writer: Bill Dubuque (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Christian Wolff applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of a Treasury chief’s murder.

Runtime: 2 Hours 12 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Accountant 2 starts when Ray King (Simmons) is killed on his latest mission. Agent Marybeth Medina (Addai-Robinson) leads the investigation into his death. Marybeth tracks down Christian Wolff (Affleck) to aid in her investigation. However, his style goes against everything she expects from an agent.

Christian turns to his criminal brother Braxton (Bernthal) and they must put their differences aside to solve the case. however, their methods cause problems for Marybeth, who must ignore their violent style.

Verdict on The Accountant 2

Recap

The movie follows specialist Christian Wolff investigating the murder of his mentor. He must work with an FBI agent and his estranged brother. However, the truth is difficult to obtain, and his methods are not as legal as the agent would like.

Best Parts

This is a welcome return for Christian, whose methods have solved plenty of cases. We are presented with an interesting case, and we get some great action sequences. Along with the moral dilemmas that different characters face. The performances are strong throughout, too.

Worst Parts

The pace of the movie feels a lot slower than many other action movies and it leaves it dragging along in place. It could have easily trimmed a bit of time off to keep things feeling a lot tighter in runtime.

Final Thoughts – The Accountant 2 is a nice sequel with a big mystery surrounding the story.

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Movie Review

Predator: Badlands (2025) Movie Review

Predator: Badlands – Movie Review

Predator: Badlands is an engaging action film that revitalizes the franchise through its unique characters and captivating storyline.

First Reaction – Predator: Badlands is a great addition to the Predator franchise.

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

Writer: Patrick Aison (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A young Predator outcast from his clan finds an unlikely ally on his journey in search of the ultimate adversary.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Predator: Badlands starts when young Yautja clan member Dek (Schuster-Koloamatangi) must prove himself to the clan. He goes against his Father’s (De Jong) wishes to hunt the deadliest creature known to his clan.

Once he lands on the planet, he meets droid Thia (Fanning), who helps him navigate the area. However, their journey together helps him understand the bigger problems he is going to face. All gave him a chance to understand his place in the universe.

Verdict on Predator: Badlands

Recap

The movie follows a young Yautja clan member wanting to prove himself to his clan. However, his plan gets interrupted, leading to him needing to face the deadliest creature they know. Alone and on an unknown planet, he makes an unlikely alliance in his attempt to fight back.

Best Parts

Whenever Dek is unleashed into combat, we get a brilliant series of events. The world feels flushed out, and you want to watch as many different interactions with the unknown there. Thia lightens the mood, with her attempts to make friends with Dek and the chemistry the two show keeps us wanting to see more. This also shines by having the connection to the other movies, without needing to bring any of the characters back.

Worst Parts

The movie has a 3D gimmick which adds very little to the movie in the long run.

Final Thoughts –Predator: Badlands is a brilliant action movie and a welcome addition to the franchise.

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Movie Review

The Wrath of Becky (2023) Movie Review

The Wrath of Becky – Movie Review

The Wrath of Becky is a violent, chaotic film about a teenage girl avenging her loved ones against a domestic terrorist cell.

First Reaction – The Wrath of Becky is violent and chaotic from start to finish.

Director: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote

Writer: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote (Screenplay)

Writer: Nick Morris, Lana Skye, Ruckus Skye (Characters)

Cast

Plot: Two years after escaping a violent attack, a teenage girl must defend herself against a domestic terrorist cell.

Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Wrath of Becky starts as Becky (Wilson) is placed in the foster system. However, she can’t settle in any homes until she meets Elena (Burse). Becky continues to exhibit a more aggressive attitude toward those around her, and her decision to fight back has a ripple effect.

She clashes with a domestic terrorist cell run by Darryl (Scott), who murders Elena and takes her dog Diego. Becky decides to have some fun and targets the terrorist cell, saving the world from the threat they pose.

Verdict on The Wrath of Becky

Recap

The movie follows teenage Becky as she tries to get her life back. However, her experience has caused lasting damage to her, and she clashes with a new terrorist cell. Becky decides to eliminate the terrorist cell to get revenge for taking her latest loved ones.

Best Parts

The movie has a brutal nature behind everything going on; it plays into the over-the-top comedy violence. Lulu Wilson commits to this chaotic role where she shines. Watching the terrorist group operate shows how easily they can rise and how dysfunctional they can become. This is plenty of action comedy in the violence, which, for the right tone, is great fun.

Worst Parts

It leans into the fantasy violence a bit too often, instead of letting Becky off the leash.

Final Thoughts –The Wrath of Becky is a violent, chaotic movie.

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Movie Review

Delivery Run (2024) Movie Review

Delivery Run – Movie Review

Delivery Run is an action thriller about a delivery driver pursuing quick cash, who faces a relentless snowplough driver and unexpected challenges.

First Reaction – Delivery Run is a fun little action thriller.

Where to Watch

On UK digital platforms 6 October 2025.

Director: Joey Palmroos

Writer: Joey Palmroos, Anders Holmes (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Alexander Arnold (The Last Breath)
  • Jussi Lampi
  • Liam James Collins
  • Arthur Sylense (Kingsman: The Golden Circle)
  • Nadine Higgin (Doctor Who)

Plot: A food delivery driver gets caught in a deadly chase in the icy Minnesota wilderness, pursued by a crazed snowplough driver for unknown reasons, facing life-threatening situations and forced to outsmart his relentless pursuer alone.

Runtime: 1 Hour 24 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Delivery Run starts when delivery Lee (Arnold) finds himself in a financial mess. He owes Rebecca (Higgin) massive amounts of money and needs a quick fix. Lee sets out to complete as many possible delivery jobs, but finds the work drying up.

However, his day turns into a nightmare when he clashes with a crazed snowplough driver. The driver targets him, and he must outwit the driver before becoming the latest victim.

Verdict on Delivery Run

Recap

The movie follows a desperate delivery driver who must make money quickly. However, the latest attempts see him clashing with a crazed snowplough driver. He must outsmart the psycho before it is too late.

Best Parts

This is Dual in the snow, which adds another level of peril to the cat ‘n’ mouse chase idea. There are intense moments, which keep us wanting to know what will happen next in the battle for control. The lead performance is fun and keeps us wanting to see the hapless figure escape.

Worst Parts

Where the lead character is more bumbling, it does hold things back from being as serious as you would expect. Elsewhere, things with the side story of owing money don’t give the movie enough tension with the basic, more entertaining story.

Final Thoughts – Delivery Run has a great idea, but it is not as intense as it could be.

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Movie Review

Mantis (2025) Movie Review

Mantis – Movie Review

Mantis, directed by Lee Tae-sung, emphasizes power dynamics over action, as an ace assassin strives to reclaim his position in a changing industry.

First Reaction – Mantis spends more time on the tension for power, than the operations of the assassins.

Director: Lee Tae-sung

Writer: Byun Sung-hyun, Lee Tae-sung (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Mantis, an ace assassin, returns to the contract killer industry after a hiatus, encountering his trainee friend Jae-yi and a retired legendary killer Dok-go, who now runs the organization.

Runtime: 1 Hour 53 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mantis starts when an ace assassin known as Mantis Han-ul (Si-wan) returns to the business. He reconnects with his trainee, Jae-yi (Gyugoung), and the retired killer Dok-go (Woo-jin). They are facing a change in leadership, with their roles being reassigned to other fighters.

However, Han-ul refuses to let Jae-yi be pushed out of the organisation and challenges the leadership. It leads to him trying to open his own group to give her a chance to prove herself and take the jobs he wants to do, using the team he wants to use.

Verdict on Mantis

Recap

The movie follows a former ace assassin who wants to return to the industry. However, he discovers the world has changed a lot, and now, he must prove his place in the organisation. It leads him to begin a change in the system, which could overthrow everything people have worked towards.

Best Parts

The movie does create a world similar to John Wick, where assassins work together and follow rules. It has good performances throughout, which help us understand the characters’ decisions. Elsewhere, the deeper story of power and control is interesting to see.

Worst Parts

The idea of a movie about assassins have such little action is disappointing. It focuses more on the dynamics of everyone involved than on diving deeper into how they operate in the world.

Final Thoughts – Mantis lacks the action expected from an assassin world.

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Movie Review

Unseen Enemy (2025) Movie Review

Unseen Enemy – Movie Review

Unseen Enemy is a late-night action film about a private investigator solving a friend's sister's mysterious disappearance amidst danger.

First Reaction – Unseen Enemy is an easy to watch late-night action movie, with solid action sequences.

Where to Watch

(VOD Release 9/30/25).

Director: Mathew John Pearson, Salvatore Samperi

Writer: Salvatore Samperi (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: An isolated private investigator is convinced by a friend to come out of hiding to help find her missing sister, putting him back in reach by those who want his family dead.

Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Unseen Enemy starts when Levi (Samperi) is convinced to come out of hiding to search for a missing person Suzy (Vaughan). She has gone missing around a notorious criminal and her sister Marissa (Conway) needs Levi to do her a favour and use his private investigation skills to locate her.

However, his investigate leads him down a series of nightmares from a past incident. Levi refuses to leave this case unsolved and does everything to try and locate the people behind the disappearance.

Verdict on Unseen Enemy

Recap

The movie follows a private investigator drawn out of hiding to locate a friend’s missing sister. He is drawn into a shady criminal world, where people take what they want, and the fight brings back horrendous memories.

Best Parts

The movie gives us an interesting glimpse into the criminal world and a private investigator trying to solve the missing person case. We get good performances from the whole cast, who help drive the story forward.

Worst Parts

While the mystery is interesting, it does turn more into a one man army styled movie, without enough to make Levi standout. We have seen a lot of these movies in the past and this doesn’t hit the hieghts of the very best ones.

Final Thoughts – Unseen Enemy is an easy to watch late-night action movie.

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Movie Review

Ice Road: Vengeance (2025) Movie Review

Ice Road: Vengeance – Movie Review

Ice Road: Vengeance is late night action 101.

First Reaction – Ice Road: Vengeance is late night action 101.

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh

Writer: Jonathan Hensleigh (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Mike travels to Nepal to scatter his late brother’s ashes on Mt. Everest. When Mike and his mountain guide encounter mercenaries on a tour bus, they are forced to fight to save themselves, the passengers, and the local villagers’ homeland.

Runtime: 1 Hour 52 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Ice Road: Vengeance starts when Mike McCann (Neeson) travels to Nepal to spread his late brother’s ashes. However, his tourist bus is held hostage by a ruthless gang of criminals trying to get a deal they want.

Mike and his guide Dhani (Fan) overcome the problem and look to continue their journey. However, they only stumble into a much more serious problem and Mike must use his experience of large vehicle driving on dangerous roads to end the battle for control.

Verdict on Ice Road: Vengeance

Recap

The movie follows Mike on his latest journey when he stumbles upon a criminal group. He must work with the locals to stop a deadly group who are trying to control the area. It takes him back to the deadly mountain roads to get the survivors out alive.

Best Parts

The intense mountain routes make for great action sequences on the edge of your seat. Elsewhere, the bigger battle for control and standing up against the bigger deadlier game takes over. It continues to bring the bigger selection of obstacles needed to overcome.

Worst Parts

There seems to be a lot of preparations for the action sequences and the criminal world is a bit too generic. The film struggles to build on the original and barely includes actual driving on icy roads.

Final Thoughts – Ice Road: Vengeance is the standard late night action movie.

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Movie Review

Police Story 2 (1988) Movie Review

Police Story 2 – Movie Review

Check out our review of Police Story 2, the action-packed sequel. Jackie Chan returns as the supercop facing off against a group of blackmailing bombers.

ABC Film Challenge – Franchise Films – P

Director: Jackie Chan

Writer: Jackie Chan, Paul B Clay, Edward Tang (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: The Hong Kong supercop must stop a group of blackmailing bombers, while the villains of Police Story (1985) are out for revenge.

Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Police Story 2 starts when Chan Ka Kui (Chan) faces punishment for the destruction he caused in the last outing. He is relegated to traffic cop and other gang members from the group he took down have come for revenge against him. Chan decides to leave the force and try and start a new life with his girlfriend May (Cheung).

However, duty calls and he returns to fight against the ruthless gang. Only this time, he must do even more on his own, without the backup he once had.

Verdict on Police Story 2

Police Story 2 is an action comedy sequel following the aftermath of the first movie. Chan faces a difficult future as he must face the consequences of his actions. However, the gang hasn’t finished with him yet.

This movie is bigger and unleashes Jackie Chan in a new way with more combat skills. We continue to get the slapstick comedy from the girlfriend side of the story. It is nice to see the story continue and show the consequences of the major destruction caused. This is a solid sequence that continues to show the heroics of the cop.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Police Story 2 is an entertaining sequel, filled with action and laughs.