Movie Breakdown: Without Remorse

Pre-Screening Stance:

The last time that writer Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, Wind River, Sicario) worked with director Stefano Sollima, the result was the not-great-at-all Sicario: Day Of The Soldado. Here’s hoping Michael B. Jordan gets a better film out of them.

Post-Screening Ramble:

Without Remorse feels like the sort of B-grade action film that Michael B. Jordan would star in if he was no longer a desired commodity. He is, however, very famous and totally sought after, so I have no idea why he would bother with this type of movie now. Anyhow, the film’s story is centered around John Clark (Jordan), a Navy SEAL whose successful covert mission to save a CIA operative unexpectedly embroils him in a big time plot between the US and Russia. It also results in the death of his wife, which then sets Clark on an all-out revenge mission. Jordan is fine as Clark, but the movie clips the character with what feels like a generic action scene check list. Underwater action scene? Check! Airplane action scene? Check! Prison cell fight scene? Check! And on and on and on. These moments not only have no real build up, but they’re blandly executed, which gives each of them a total <insert action scene> kind of vibe. Additionally, the dialogue is clunky, and that makes the film plod along even harder.

I’ve seen a lot worse movies than Without Remorse, but that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. In the end, it’s slow and lacking in anything that really pops off of the screen. So, if you decide to hit play on it, don’t be surprised if you find yourself paying more attention to your phone or whatever else. The film will land on Prime Video this Friday, April 30.

One Last Thought:

Guy Pearce deserves bigger and better roles. All I ever seem to catch him in anymore are forgettable movies like this one or last year’s Bloodshot, and that’s just not right.