‘I DID IT MY WAY’
Jason Kwan’s, I Did It My Way is admittedly a mixed bag. It is filled with strong performances highlighted by Andy Lau at the center of things as criminal kingpin Lin Zhen’an. Gordan Lam supports Lau with a charming performance as well and overall, this film is well-acted. I Did It My Way attempts to deliver an action-packed crime-drama and when the intensity does ramp up the set-pieces are well-staged, and they do get the adrenaline going with effective doses of brutal violence. There’s also a nicely shot extended fight-sequence in the middle of the film that did pull me up on the edge of my seat. So, when this movie puts its foot on the gas there is modest fun to be found.
The direction from Kwan is more than capable as well. He captures the action with a skilled eye to pull the viewer into the middle of the chaos and/or suspense and these are the most effectively immersive moments of the film. Because the story, its foundation, and the development of the characters, are where this film falters.
It’s a serviceable story with a cyber-crime theme as an undercover agent works with a drug lord. For the most part (despite some second act lulls) it is enough to connect the action. However, if a layered story that can lure your imagination and have you connected to the characters is something you’re looking for, then I Did It My Way could be a letdown.
There are a few noticeable plot holes, and the character motives get a bit murky which is unfortunate. Lau is fantastic in the lead, and he certainly looks the part, however the character feels at arm’s length. I wasn’t able to get inside his head and these issues are what make this movie feel like it’s going through the motions with more of an artificial emotional undercurrent as opposed to a more genuine one.
The whole technology aspect of the film feels a bit dated as well. It isn’t a deal breaker but when things feel obsolete quickly, some of the tension created through the tech in the story lands with a lesser impact. Primarily because it’s all variations of scenarios and situations we’ve seen before. Still, there is a strong visual appeal, and the performances do elevate the material. It’s just 10-15 minutes longer than needed with the story it tells and the action and violence it ultimately delivers.
Grade: C-
CAST: Andy Lau, Gordon Lam, Eddie Peng, Simon Yam, Yase Liu, Philip Keung, Kent Cheng DIRECTOR: Jason Kwan WRITER: Sing-Yip Sau DISTRIBUTOR: Well Go USA Entertainment RUNNING TIME: 115 minutes RATING: N/A YEAR: 2023/2024 (US) LANGUAGE: Cantonese GENRE: Action/Crime/Drama
‘AMERICAN STAR’
Gonzalo López-Gallego’s American Star attempts to play like a character study of an aging assassin as he embarks on his final assignment in the beautiful countryside of Fuerteventura. Ian McShane dons tailored contemporary suits and effectively fills the facade of this assassin known only as Wilson. And I say facade because the true layering needed to explore this character in a way the film seemingly intends, feels missing.
Sure, with McShane’s calculated expressions and his weathered gaze Wilson is certainly presented as a man feeling some sort of contemplation of his past life. And with this film’s pristine cinematography of the Canary Islands, it’s not hard to see how Wilson could gravitate to the area as he awaits his target to arrive in town.
However, the story fails to cultivate its elements together effectively. Who Wilson is and what he’s truly feeling are more surmised. He certainly has a soft spot as he befriends a young boy and strikes a random friendship with a woman half his age. But the writing fails to let us in on who this man really is. American Star certainly has its strengths.
The cinematography is immaculate, and the performances are captivating despite the concise dialogue. This made me want more from these characters and where the first half of the film feels like a crawl there was potential for more story building and character development. This results in a film that drops intriguing nuggets of story here and there but fails to fully follow through with most of them due to a focus on lingering photography of the beautiful Canary Islands.
American Star boasts a collection of emotionally gripping sequences and few poignant moments, but they fail to come together into a truly thought-provoking story. It often feels the writing relies too much on the suave demeanor of McShane which admittedly works for a while.
But the writing fails to line him with the very humanity the story feels like it’s attempting to pull from him. The final act is the best twenty-minutes of the film but the rest leading up to it feel like empty calories that end up stifling what could have been a satisfying closing and something more on the unique side for the over populated assassin genre.
Grade: C
CAST: Ian McShane, Nora Arnezeder, Adam Nagaitis, Thomas Kretschmann, Fanny Ardant DIRECTOR: Gonzalo López-Gallego WRITER: Nacho Faerna DISTRIBUTOR: IFC Films RUNNING TIME: 114 minutes RATING: R (For language and some bloody violence) YEAR: 2024 LANGUAGE: English GENRE: Drama/Thriller
‘ONE MORE SHOT’
James Nunn’s One More Shot is more a cinematic action movie experience than a film that attempts to follow a traditional plot structure with conventional character arcs. Set hours after the first film One Shot, Scott Adkins continues his role as Navy SEAL Jake Harris who will attempt to escort a terrorist suspect from a black site in Poland to Washington D.C. for questioning and the result is the definition of “nonstop action”.
For years I have contended that Scott Adkins is one of the most underrated action-stars in the business and this film is another example of why because his commitment to the stunt work is just what this movie needs. Adkins’ physicality blended with the seamless direction from Nunn turns One More Shot into one of the dark horse favorites for the year’s best action movies from a technical aspect.
One More Shot fires out of the gate with endless gunfights, hand-to-hand showdowns, chase sequences (in car and on foot) and you are literally in the middle of it all right next to Adkins. This is where the film shines bright, much like Chis Hemsworth in his Extraction films on Netflix. There’s an elegance to the choreography and how it’s captured through the skillful direction from Nunn is adrenaline pumping to the max as Adkins’ Harris takes on a relentless barrage of attackers with a frenzied flow. However, the film does fall into the usual pitfalls of those that are over reliant on a single aspect of filmmaking. Because the story progression, the plot overall, and the characters outside of Harris, are lacking intrigue.
The constant wave of action forces the story to remain paper thin and there isn’t much for the characters to do outside of trying to kill one another. That’s where the runtime comes into factor and here it runs about 15-20 minutes long.
The action is undeniably impressive, yet it does get a tad fatiguing after a while and where One More Shot comes ever so close to wearing out its welcome. A shortened length could have tightened up some story-points that do more to hinder the pace than build compelling story layering. Regardless, with Adkins in the lead here and the impressive buffet of action stunt work and choreography, One More Shot is certainly worth a one-time shot for action fans.
Grade: B-
CAST: Scott Adkins, Alexis Knapp, Tom Berenger, Michael Jai White, Meena Rayann, Waleed Elgadi, Hannah Arterton DIRECTOR: James Nunn WRITER(S): James Nunn, Jamie Russell DISTRIBUTOR: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment RUNNING TIME: 103 minutes RATING: R (For language and violence throughout) YEAR: 2024 LANGUAGE: English GENRE: Action/Thriller
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2024 SilverScreen Analysis