Mini Reviews #2: This time about the action movies
Short observations on films that have recently resonated not only on the festival circuit.
Not every action movie needs a “big article.” Some films are simply honest genre fun, perfect with a beer, after work, or as a weekend reward when you just want to have a good time.
The Rip
Crime / Thriller / Action
USA, 2026, 113 min
Director: Joe Carnahan
Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Scott Adkins, and more
From Joe Carnahan I’ve seen a few solid but mostly average genre efforts. The Rip is, in my view, his best film so far and it’s a bit of a shame Netflix didn’t send it to theaters even if only for a week.
Right from the start it locks into a strong thriller pace, with the viewer constantly unsure who’s on which side and whether anyone is truly on the same page. A huge part of why it works is the great chemistry between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, but the whole crew clicks including the stunning Sasha Calle. The tension is handled well (helped by the rumbling score), and the film never drags for a second. The action beats felt a little hard to read at times, but still effective.
The ending doesn’t deliver some mind-blowing catharsis, but in the context of the whole ride, I honestly didn’t mind. The Rip works as a sturdy B-movie and it’s still a cut above most streaming action output.
Rating: 8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wrecking Crew
Action / Comedy
USA / New Zealand, 2026, 124 min
Director: Angel Manuel Soto Cast: Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, and more
Prime serves up another buddy comedy. After Cena and Elba in Heads of State, we now get a slightly heavier action caliber: Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. Momoa, in particular, is clearly having a blast. For two hours he fires off one-liners, and a few jokes genuinely made me laugh out loud. The film kicks off with solid action scenes and remains a fairly entertaining ride all the way through.
The creators know exactly what they want this film to be: action comedy with beautiful scenery, overhyped moments, and a deliberately dumb script. VOD platforms need to regularly feed the 30–50 male audience, so I get why projects like this are made without ambitions of being a “perfect film.” And that’s exactly what this movie is, it doesn’t pretend to be anything more, but it is fun.
Rating: 6/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Running Man 2025
Action / Sci-Fi
UK / USA, 2025, 133 min
Director: Edgar Wright Cast: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and more
Before the screening, I revisited The Running Man with my childhood superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger, and honestly, it still works for me in its own peculiar way. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to feel a similar vibe with the new version. While it’s clearly not Edgar Wright’s strongest film and the overall reception has been rather negative, this one flew by for me: no yawning, no checking the time.
The action is clear, inventive, and occasionally genuinely fun. Schwarzenegger once said that the only film from his entire filmography he dislikes is The Running Man, which is why he’s happy there’s a new take on it. Just like I enjoyed the original as a kid, I enjoyed this version too. And I’m not sure I’d dismiss it as mere “guilty pleasure”. To me, it feels like many people write it off mainly because of the director’s name. In plain terms, with a beer in hand, it’s simply solid, entertaining fun for two hours.
Rating: 7/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sisu: Road to Revenge
Action
Finland / USA, 2025, 88 min
Director: Jalmari Helander Cast: Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang, and more
It’s clear that the director had more ammunition this time, mainly in the form of a bigger budget, and approached the sequel according to classic sequel logic: more action, more humor, more of everything. What I really missed, though, was a genuine moment of surprise. The kills and fight scenes are still solid and occasionally inventive, but over time I found myself getting bored.
The film remains watchable largely thanks to the excellent Stephen Lang, but it’s not something I’d feel the need to revisit. That said, I’m still genuinely curious to see what the director does with the new Rambo.
Rating: 6/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fight or Flight
Action / Comedy
UK / USA, 2024, 101 min
Director: James Madigan Cast: Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff, Charithra Chandran, Marko Zaror, and more
Josh Hartnett was once poised to become one of the biggest stars of the early 2000s, breaking hearts in Pearl Harbor and impressing audiences in Black Hawk Down. After a few notable roles, he gradually faded from Hollywood’s spotlight and now seems clearly set on a comeback. Oppenheimer, the horror film Trap, and now Fight or Flight feel like a conscious attempt to follow a Brad Pit, like path, from heartthrob to a fully fledged actor who’s not afraid to headline a B-movie. And it works.
Fight or Flight is essentially a B-movie rip-off of Bullet Train, just relocated to an airplane, but it’s surprisingly entertaining. The action is punchy, inventive, and often funny; the pacing is fast, and the story doesn’t drag even in weaker moments. The fight scenes are solid, ideas keep piling up, and the film flies by quicker than expected. With more distinctive assassins-like in Love Hurts or Bullet Train, it could have been one of the year’s bigger surprises. On the other hand, the female assassin squad adds some extra flair and energy. Overall, a solid, fun piece of B-movie action.
Rating: 7/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️