‘Alarum’ Review: Sylvester Stallone Parachutes Into Busy but Unconvincing Spy-Jinks

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Some genres of movies might not be effectively executed with limited resources, and an “international espionage thriller” could fall into this category. This is evident in the film “Alarum,” where Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald portray a financially restrained version of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s characters from “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” In this movie, they are former spies living a low-key domestic life that is disrupted by violent reminders of their past. Michael Polish’s film attempts to make up for its ordinary production qualities with an abundance of action, but the execution of these scenes lacks excitement. The script by Alexander Vesha doesn’t convince, and despite Sylvester Stallone‘s participation as a reluctant comrade-in-arms, the performances are unremarkable.

2019 Prague begins the story with Joe (Eastwood) being shot through a window, followed by him fighting off other enemies such as Lara (Fitzgerald). However, this fight scene seems to be a planned event, allowing them both to leave their undercover lives as international secret agents and live as civilians. Five years later, they are married and on their honeymoon in a winter town near Gdansk, trying to blend in as ordinary people. Unfortunately, they become suspects when it’s discovered they possess a highly sought-after flash drive that attracts attention from both good and bad forces worldwide. The first sign of this is a small plane crash nearby, the passengers appearing to be professional assassins who have just been killed.

While exploring the nearby area with tourists, Joe unexpectedly stumbles upon some wreckage and is quickly encircled by a group of aggressive mercenaries, headed by the ruthless Orlin (Mike Colter). In a bid for survival, Joe flees, leading these mercenaries on a high-speed chase through the forest, marked by bursts of gunfire. Simultaneously, at the resort, Lara is working hard to protect both guests and villagers from being harmed as these invading forces pose a threat to everyone they encounter. From afar, two officials with connections to the CIA are made aware of this situation, yet opt not to intervene violently. Instead, they arrange for Chester (Stallone) – an old associate of Joe’s who is now ready to eliminate him if needed – to arrive.

Joe and some tourists find debris while hiking, then get surrounded by mean mercenaries led by Orlin (Mike Colter). To escape, Joe runs away, causing a chase with gunshots in the woods. Meanwhile, Lara is keeping everyone safe at the resort as these invading soldiers cause trouble. Some CIA-linked people know about it but choose not to help. They send Chester (Stallone) instead, who used to be friends with Joe and might hurt him now if asked.

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that I found the intricate plot and the frequent shifts in loyalty somewhat challenging to follow, largely because I wasn’t emotionally invested enough to care about the characters or their motivations. The movie is titled after a fictitious spy network called “The Phantom Circle,” which aims to dismantle the oppressive global intelligence system. However, in the screenplay by Vesha, this secret organization feels more like an unsubstantiated rumor than a substantial plot element.

Throughout the majority of its duration, the movie maintains distinct action sequences, subjecting Polish to a variety of hand-to-hand combat, shootouts, explosions, and other intense situations. However, these physical encounters lack the raw impact of the “Bourne” films or the exaggerated grandeur of the “Rambo” series, attempting to balance both styles. Unfortunately, some of the visual effects used in the film are less convincing.

Polish experiences numerous action scenes throughout the movie, ranging from fist fights to gun battles and more. However, these sequences lack either the raw power found in “Bourne” movies or the exaggerated flair present in the “Rambo” series. The film tries to strike a balance between both styles, but it’s held back by some questionable visual effects.

In 2020, a former independent film director released “Force of Nature,” which presented another over-the-top spectacle of destruction in an isolated location. However, its narrative, driven by crisis, was more innovative, and the characters were more realistic and relatable. Nevertheless, we’re not convinced that these tough-acting individuals are as formidable as portrayed, nor do we believe they play significant roles in a grand scheme of international mystery.

Viewers who were captivated by the enigmatic character played by Fitzgerald in the indie film “Strange Darling” may feel let down because her role doesn’t demand much more than physical agility from her. The attempted chemistry between her and Eastwood, which is supposed to be playful banter, instead dilutes any sense of impending danger. Moreover, Stallone appears worn out, and at times, Moffatt seems to be mocking the material, making it seem even weaker than it already is.

In the small towns of Ohio instead of rural Poland, the film “Alarum” maintains a lively tempo that keeps viewers engaged, even during brief moments of calm. However, it lacks the necessary intensity, suspense, complexity, or humor to initially draw you in completely. The dramatic opening and closing credit scenes appear to frame a movie with a thrilling journey, but this film’s grandeur never surpasses the restraint of this unassuming production.

Lionsgate plans to make the generic, yet entertaining movie titled “Genre Exercise” available in U.S. theaters, as well as for digital and on-demand viewing, starting from January 17th.

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2025-01-17 04:16