Hidden Strike (2023) Review
The Shelf Life of Hidden Strike
Hidden Strike, originally titled Project X-Traction, has recently made its debut on Netflix after spending five years on a shelf. With an impressive cast including Jackie Chan and John Cena and a budget of $80 million, the delayed release raises questions about the film’s quality. The fact that it remained hidden for so long suggests that there was a significant reason for shelving it. One does not simply hold on to a multimillion-dollar production without a compelling explanation.
A Generic Buddy Film
Set in the near future, Hidden Strike revolves around a Chinese-owned refinery in Iraq that comes under attack by unnamed rebel forces. Luo Feng (played by Jackie Chan), a commanding officer of a team of mercenaries, is tasked with evacuating all 498 employees to safety, including his estranged daughter Mei (played by Chunrui Ma). Meanwhile, Chris Van Horne (played by John Cena), an ex-Marine who opted to stay in Iraq after the war, is in need of money to repair the water system for his village. When he learns that the terrorist responsible for the deaths of his father and squadmates is on a bus convoy heading towards the Green Zone, he ends up joining forces with the mercenaries, setting the stage for a predictable yet action-packed plot.
Director Scott Waugh and writer Arash Amel deliver a generic buddy film that lacks the incredible action scenes necessary to distract viewers from its bland and predictable storyline. The film falls short of its potential, offering scenes that appear more fitting for a low-budget direct-to-video thriller rather than a high-profile international co-production starring two action heroes. The CGI effects are particularly disappointing, lacking the finesse expected from such a production.
In terms of performances, Jackie Chan delivers a solid portrayal of his character, showcasing his trademark stuntwork and providing audiences with some memorable moments. One particularly inspired sequence sees Chan fighting on overhead pipes while Cena uses a length of piping to prevent him from falling and to extricate him from trouble. However, the film fails to fully utilize Cena’s potential, as his character is limited to looking intimidating and throwing people around.
The characters in Hidden Strike suffer from a lack of development, which mirrors the film’s action scenes. Both Chris and Luo Feng lack depth, with only a few clichéd scenes where they interact with children or reflect on past failures to offer any insight into their characters. Even the villain, Owen (played by Pilou Asbæk), a former American special ops soldier turned rogue, is as unremarkable as his use of Chris’ younger brother as bait to lure him into the plot. Chunrui Ma’s role seems to serve the purpose of being eye candy for Chan’s character to protect and an object of interest for Cena’s character to pursue.
A Plodding, Dull Waste of Time and Money
Ultimately, Hidden Strike is not a lost gem caught up in circumstance or international politics, nor is it a unintentionally amusing disaster that was shelved for its sheer awfulness. Instead, it is a plodding and dull waste of both time and money. Even if you already have a Netflix subscription, it is not worth your time to check it out. It is disheartening to see Cena, who previously found himself in hot water with the Chinese government for referring to Taiwan as a separate country, now needing to seek forgiveness from audiences for being associated with this film.
Hidden Strike is available for streaming on Netflix in North America and Europe.
<< photo by Susan Q Yin >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
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