
As another week ends, we are graced by another film made by Frank Grillo. Though I’m joking, it can’t be emphasized enough that Grillo is one of the most active actors in Hollywood today if not the most. He acted in no less than seven feature films in 2023 alone. In terms of 2024, it may be a quieter year but the actor usually has numerous projects in readiness for release. Online movie streaming services
One such film is Hounds of War, a military action film in which Grillo works alongside elite action director Issac Florentine. All action cinema enthusiasts are likely to be pleased by this collaboration, Florentine’s DTV action movies are among the finest ever made. So, you are getting older. But this is a good thing.
In Undisputed 2 (2005) and Ninja Shadow of a Tear (2013), the spectator receives a full-bodied experience of Florentine’s masterclass filmmaking. With such quality work fresh in my mind, I went into Hounds of War with a sense of optimism and anticipation. Was it going to satisfy the same amount of nostalgia as Florentine’s Undisputed films did, or should I have managed my expectations?
The short answer? I was likely expecting too much. However, Hounds of War does have a few redeeming qualities that help it rise above the rest. To begin with, this shot film can claim that it is the most graphic and visually impressive project by Florentine. Malta is a great addition to that, but the incredible camera work by Ericson Core is what makes Hounds of War visually, at least, different from other Florentine films.
All the action fans might be already acquainted with Core’s name he did serve as a director of photography on The Fast and the Furious (2001) and Daredevil (2003). He directed in a controversially received remake of Point Break (2015). Even though the film could not match the original, the reimagined visual aspects were stunning. With that said, it was nice to see Core’s name in the credits, and Hounds of War definitely benefits from his work that moves it above standard DTV production.
At this stage, the cooperation between Florentine and Core is also effective in ensuring that the action appears to be crisp and clean. One of the attributes that one can always associate with Florentine, and which certainly works for him in this instance, is the handling of action sequences. While the level of action doesn’t quite reach the highest peaks of his best works, the different types of action sequences, including fight scenes, shootouts as well as car chases are all done well. There is no moment during the entire length of the film that makes the audience question what is taking place on the screen of the film.
The plot of the film is linear which is one of its biggest flaws along with the underdeveloped characters. When the audience finally sees Grillo take the center-stage finally, he puts up a decent show but still, there’s a limit to how far this can be taken for such a weak character. At least in this regard, he gets more substance than his co-stars. So brief is the introduction of the rest of his team that even their subsequent demise fails to provoke requisite emotions.
Besides, the film begins quite late in the sequel and then proceeds to a flashback. There are certain drawbacks in using this particular tool, In this case, it was, complete in that it provided an exciting beginning but as the audience knows that he cannot die at that particular point in the story, it somewhat lowers the suspense.
Fighters who are fans of martial arts could also fret over the roles of able-bodied fighters such as Joey Ansah, Seydina Balde, and Mark Strange. Although Ansah and Balde display some impressive moves their screen time is cut short, Strange on the other hand, is not given the same treatment. Fortunately, he is in control of Kung Fu Games (2024), where he performs his martial arts style to the fullest. That is a film I would recommend with much hope that it helps Strange secure bigger roles in the future.
In the second half of the movie, other martial arts actors such as Mike Moller and the always-welcomed Lee Charles appear. Again both of these characters are not really fleshed out but do manage to be involved in some interesting action with Charles trying to get away during the car chase that helps conclude the film. I was quite impressed by Moller’s performance in the film as it appears he has been getting more intense roles lately as opposed to the brief cameos he would normally get in his previous films. While I’d love to see him in an even greater role, he at least gets to display his talents clearly.
As pointed out, the conclusion is mostly focused on vehicles, with our ‘heroes’ in an attempted kidnap in a stolen ambulance. The car chase is enhanced by Malta’s narrow streets. The driving sequences alternate with the fight scenes in the ambulance, with Rhona Mitra taking on a secret service operative and Lee Charles driving and being attacked by an opponent. This kind of action scene works really well, as it is well shot and Mitra is very good at performing close-quarter combat.
What is baffling about the finale though is the absence of Grillo on screen. While he is given plenty of action sequences throughout the film, it is surprising that the ending was totally grounded on his co-stars. As usual, Grillo is in great shape not only for his age but for any age. He throws himself in the hills although with some help from his stunt double. Still, he deals convincingly with gun fights as well as hand-to-hand confrontations. I just thought that since he was the lead actor the ending beat wouldn’t be given to his two co-stars. This is a minor quibble because the action in the first place is still able to thrill even though it is so quite the opposite of what I was expecting.
The strong action sequences are able to compensate for some of the slow pacing found in the film. During the parts of the film not focusing on action, there is a certain slow spot. This is somehow related to the fact that the suspense is badly rendered because of the narrative techniques employed by the filmmakers. I will however commend the movie for going out of its way to be disturbing. One sequence features the ever-dependable Robert Patrick in a violent scene that is ironic in its level of bloodless gore. It’s not that the scene is too gruesome and bloody, it’s more the manner in which it is casually done.
In relation to Patrick, he appears to be the only other American actor in the cast besides Grillo. Patrick could complete this job in his sleep, but that doesn’t stop him from being enthusiastic about his performance. His role is mostly at the command level as a subordinate, but his character is tough. He receives good support from James Elder and Matthew Marsh, who plays an ambiguous United States President.
Even though now Hounds of War doesn’t turn out to be the perfect film I thought it would be at the start, it was a good learning experience nevertheless. People who appreciate the works of the filmmaker Florentine would be disappointed a bit as his action direction this time was not able to transcend his best works. However, his upcoming film Hellfire could be the one to do it, as it unites him once again with Dolph Lundgren who played the lead role in Bridges of Dragons (1999) along with actors Stephen Lang and Harvey Keitel. Moreover, the undergrowth of Johnny Yong Bosch is also a part of the film. Let’s hope that he is granted an opportunity to show off his martial arts techniques.
Talking about Grillo, his fans need not worry as he will be back on screen very soon. Apart from the fact that he is featured in season two of Tulsa King (2022), he also has a part on the screen in Long Gone Heroes (2024) which premiered along with Hounds of War. What a lot of Grillo! Once again, in Long Gone Heroes, he works with writer and director John Swab for the fifth time. I can’t wait to find out how this film will be different from the others they have made.
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