Hidden Strike (2023) - A Riveting Action Thriller

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Hidden Strike (2023) – A Riveting Action Thriller with a Dash of Intrigue

“Hidden Strike” featuring Jackie Chan and John Cena boasts the catchy tagline “There is a plan. They just don’t know what it is,” which surprisingly mirrors the movie’s unfolding plot. This Chinese-American action-thriller embraces the classic buddy cop theme for which Jackie Chan is renowned, combining it with impressive fight choreography to create an enjoyable cinematic experience. With fun, the movie somewhat brings engaging elements that keep audiences fully immersing themselves in its playful energy.

Directed by Scott Waugh of “Need for Speed” fame, the film follows two ex-special forces soldiers assigned with escorting civilians along Baghdad’s treacherous “Highway of Death” to the safety of the Green Zone. Chan portrays Luo Feng, a military officer turned private security contractor, who teams up with former Marine Chris Van Horne (Cena) after discovering a plot to steal oil from a Chinese-owned refinery. Though their alliance faces initial challenges due to past conflicts, a shared adversary leads them to form an unexpected partnership, resulting in some of the movie’s best moments.

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On-screen, Cena, and Chan display effortless chemistry, their characters engaging in light-hearted banter that often amuses viewers. Language barriers add to the humor, reflecting the frustrations and struggles of communicating in a foreign tongue. The bilingual jokes, with Cena’s real-life Mandarin speaking skills coming into play, elicit several laughs, enhancing the overall comedic effect. Furthermore, seeing Chan perform his signature acrobatic stunts is a delight.

Beyond the humor, the downtime moments allow Van Horne and Luo Feng to delve into each other’s backgrounds, establishing a compelling connection through shared regrets and experiences. This synergy translates well into action-packed sequences, blending vehicular chases, intense fistfights, and gripping shootouts. Notably, the hijack scene stands out, reminiscent of Mad Max-style choreography.

However, if one strips away the action, humor, and charm of the Chan-Cena duo, “Hidden Strike” fairly balances depth in its narrative. It relies heavily on typical popcorn entertainment, offering an average storyline with predictable events that seem convoluted or underdeveloped at times.

The exploration of family dynamics, a potential avenue for depth, is not present. While “Hidden Strike” attempts to delve into Luo Feng’s relationship with his daughter, it feels half-hearted. Van Horne’s family situation remains superficial, making it challenging for audiences to empathize with his character during certain moments.

Nevertheless, “Hidden Strike” promises an enjoyable time, primarily due to the engaging and playful chemistry between Chan and Cena. Audiences can appreciate the comedy and action sequences, making it a successful East-West collaboration despite its flaws.

The Movie is currently streaming on Netflix

The Movie has an IMDB rating of 5.7/10

Hollywood Xtreme gives 7/10