Alarum: A Spy Thriller That Misses the Mark!

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Michael Polish helms “Alarum“, an action-thriller on a modest budget that heavily draws inspiration from other films, making it challenging to establish its unique character. However, Alexander Vesha’s screenplay adds layers, much like a complex chess set. Unfortunately, not all pieces seamlessly integrate or advance the narrative as intended. Nevertheless, they manage to keep things engaging and draw our focus away from the film’s shortcomings.

Joe (Scott Eastwood) and Laura (Willa Fitzgerald), being top-tier agents for their respective nations, crossed paths when Laura was tasked to eliminate him. However, instead of completing her assignment, she developed feelings for him and they began a relationship. Choosing to disappear from the limelight, they got married and embarked on a clandestine life together. As fans of spy films are well aware, it’s not that simple to abandon such a line of work.

During his stay at a mountain resort in Gdansk, Poland, Joe finds out that Laura has resumed work. To add to the intrigue, a small aircraft crashes in the woods. Upon inspecting the debris, Joe realizes both pilots had gunshot wounds to the head. He also uncovers a concealed USB drive, which he safely retrieves before being disturbed by a mercenary named Orlin (played by Mike Colter). Orlin and his heavily armed forces are determined to get their hands on the drive and demonstrate they will go to extreme lengths to do so.

Meanwhile, at an undercover operations base, the U.S. National Clandestine Service headed by Director Robert Burbridge (D.W. Moffett) learn about a plane crash and suspect that a crucial flash-drive is aboard. They also uncover evidence suggesting that Joe might be in the vicinity, possibly working for a secretive counter-intelligence group called Alarum. This revelation prompts Burbridge to summon Chester (Sylvester Stallone), the agency’s highly effective but chaotic assassin, to recover the drive and neutralize Joe if necessary.

As a devoted cinephile, let me tell you that Vesha’s script is a whirlwind of interconnected elements, keeping his narrative racing at an exhilarating speed. It’s clear that all the characters will eventually converge, but before that, Vesha serves us some unexpected partnerships, a generous helping of backstabbing, and a handful of twists that are entertaining, if not entirely shocking. The climax is as brutal as expected, and there’s even a tantalizing hint at a sequel that, frankly, I’m not exactly chomping at the bit for.

Although “Alarum” manages to hold our attention with an engaging plot, it’s far from perfect. The most significant flaw lies in its action scenes, which despite being numerous, appear low-budget and unrealistic. These issues are exacerbated by certain absurd moments and a soundtrack that seems to be borrowed from a two-decade-old video game, which may appeal to some but not this particular film. Additionally, the dialogue occasionally induces unintended laughter.

In “Alarum,” the actors deliver commendable performances, but their characters are somewhat one-dimensional. The plot draws heavily on conventional spy and action film elements, yet manages to surprise with unexpected twists. However, these surprises aren’t enough to create a lasting impact, particularly when compared to the rather unremarkable action sequences that should be the film’s primary focus. Regrettably, these sequences fail to deliver as expected, which is one reason “Alarum” falls short of its potential.

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2025-01-17 23:56