Fight or Flight

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I’m thoroughly enjoying the recent resurgence of Josh Hartnett in the acting world. After delivering impressive performances in lesser-known indie films like “Ida Red” and Guy Ritchie’s “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre”, he truly captured everyone’s attention with his role in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”. He continued to shine with a solid performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Trap”, and now we have another standout role of his in the new film, “Fight or Flight”. These four diverse performances in such distinct movies make it five if you count his latest project as well.

Under the guidance of director James Madigan, “Fight or Flight” is an exhilarating action film that combines humor and gore. The narrative (penned by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona) centers around Hartnett’s character, Lucas Reyes, a former Secret Service agent who finds himself at odds with the CIA following a brutal altercation. Since then, he has been living incognito in Bangkok, subsisting in a Tuk Tuk and drowning his sorrows in alcohol.

In the meantime, Intelligence Director Katherine Brunt (Katee Sackhoff) finds herself in a tight spot. Her organization has been pursuing an extremely valuable target globally known as “The Ghost”. They’ve managed to trace him to Bangkok, preparing to leave the country on a plane. With no resources available on site, a determined Brunt reaches out to Lucas. She proposes a deal: a clean record and a return of his old life if he will board the plane, identify the Ghost, and transport the target back to the United States.

With hesitation yet driven by necessity, Lucas accepts the task. He climbs aboard a two-story aircraft and prepares for the 16-hour journey to San Francisco. Once airborne, he starts searching for the Ghost. However, he soon realizes he’s not the only one on this flight – it’s filled with assassins and bounty hunters who aim to eliminate both him and the Ghost. Needless to say, events take a turn for the dramatic from that point onward.

In no time at all, Madigan ramps up the intensity to maximum levels. Simultaneously, he embraces the outlandish nature of the plot, maintaining a light-hearted tone throughout and providing numerous amusing moments. While the narrative may be simple, the unexpected twists won’t leave you in awe. However, it’s the high-octane action and comedic elements that make this movie shine, and they certainly deliver on their promises.

Hartnett’s character is delightfully eccentric with his frosted blonde hair, quirky wardrobe, and an air of weary wisdom that perfectly suits his on-screen persona. At 46 years old, the actor exudes charm and unexpected action-hero physique. Sackhoff portrays a stern and commanding presence, while Chandran’s role, which could potentially be a breakout, is filled with infectious energy.

The phrase ‘Fight or Flight’ might not be particularly innovative when discussing storylines and can sometimes veer towards being overly graphic. However, the acting is spot-on, the action sequences are energetic, and the film concludes with a delightfully gruesome scene that fully captures its absurdity. For fans of Hartnett, they will discover yet another remarkably distinct portrayal from an actor who seems to relish pushing his boundaries. ‘Fight or Flight’ hits theaters on May 9th.

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2025-05-08 19:24