‘Fight or Flight’ Review
Stars: Josh Hartnett, Charithra Chandran, Katee Sackhoff, Julian Kostov, Marko Zaror, JuJu Chan Szeto, Rebecka Johnston, Sarah Lam, Danny Ashok | Written by Brooks McLaren, D.J. Cotrona | Directed by James Madigan
What would you do to get a shot at making things right? That is the question mercenary Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett) must ask himself, as Fight or Flight opens with him living his life as an action-movie cliché. Hiding out in Bangkok, Lucas passes his days by drowning his sorrows, a situation that he has embraced for two years. That all changes when he receives an unexpected call from Katherine (Katee Sackhoff), an ex-girlfriend who is now the head figure within a shady governmental organization.
Their relationship ends on poor terms, leaving Lucas with rage and resentment for Katherine, but she gets his attention by offering him a chance to regain his old life. What does Lucas have to do? Board a plane from Bangkok to San Francisco, which will also contain onboard an elusive terrorist hacker known only as The Ghost. Lucas must identify the hacker and apprehend them, but he is not the only one with that plan in mind. Someone has leaked The Ghost’s plans, and also onboard the plane are many enemies who want their pound of flesh.
Credited as an assistant director on Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, James Madigan steps away from disappointing franchise features to flourish with his feature directorial debut. What unfolds utilizes its confined setting rather well, making the fights feel inescapable amidst such bone-crunchingly brutal and grisly outcomes. It is a work that feels inspired by John Wick, right down to the idea of killers being everywhere you turn, and it is such fun to witness.
After a welcome appearance in Oppenheimer, Josh Hartnett has been having the best time on-screen, and he moves from his excellent lead performance in Trap to enjoy playing another killer in disguise. This time, his blonde mercenary is rediscovering his conscience after giving up on life, and does so through a rising kill count, particularly during a third-act moment where he fights while high on toad venom. He also shares great chemistry with flight attendant Isha (a winning Charithra Chandran), in a pairing that reminds Lucas what it is like to have somebody on his side.
Admittedly, the film is not doing anything exceptional or truly surprising. It hits the necessary beats in set-up and backstory before letting the in-flight entertainment unfold, and it does a solid job with this aeroplane actioner. As the ending teases a sequel, consider me ready to book another flight following the effective Fight or Flight.
***½ 3.5/5
Fight or Flight is available on Sky Cinema now.
