Latest news with #Kyrah
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shadow Force Movie Review: A bland action thriller that fizzles despite a promising set up
Story: Kyrah and Issac, former elite operatives turned lovers, go on the run with their son after their old team puts a bounty on their heads. Hunted by their ex-boss Jack Cinder, they must fight to protect their family and confront their past. Review: 'Shadow Force' is a film that feels all too familiar, offering little new within its overdone premise. It's a standard action thriller that doesn't bother to break any molds. The plot takes too many liberties, never properly explaining key elements, and leaves the audience to fill in the gaps. While the action sequences may keep you engaged momentarily, the film quickly loses its grip, leaving you indifferent to what's happening on screen. Despite the high stakes and potential for a gripping story, the lack of depth makes it a forgettable experience. The plot centers on Kyrah Owens (Kerry Washington) and Issac Saar (Omar Sy), two former elite operatives who worked for a covert unit called Shadow Force. When they fall in love and have a child, they decide to leave their violent world behind to protect their son. However, their past catches up with them when Isaac's identity is revealed while saving their son during a bank robbery. Once their former boss, Jack Cinder (Mark Strong), discovers they are alive, he places a bounty on their heads and sends a team of skilled assassins to kill them. The couple, forced to go on the run, must rely on their instincts and combat skills to survive. From Mexico to Spain to Bolivia, the action-packed journey unfolds with high-speed chases and near-death encounters. The film suffers from a lack of clarity, particularly when it comes to its central premise. The audience is never truly given an understanding of what Shadow Force is or what Kyrah and Isaac have been doing before the events of the film. If their crime is simply falling in love and wanting to raise a family, it feels like a flimsy excuse for a plot. While the action sequences are thrilling, the narrative leaves much to be desired. The few moments of warmth, especially between Kyrah, Issac, and their son Ky, bring a brief sense of emotional connection. Issac's use of French adds an interesting layer to his character, giving a natural, authentic feel to the portrayal, but these moments are overshadowed by a confusing and shallow storyline. Kerry Washington's performance is a major letdown, especially when compared to her past work. Her portrayal feels uninspired and flat, lacking the depth and intensity needed for such a high-stakes role. It's hard to believe this is the same actress who delivered a brilliant performance in her previous film 'The Six Triple Eight.' Mark Strong, on the other hand, brings a sense of menace and gravitas to the character of Jack Cinder, proving to be a strong presence in his role as the antagonist. But it's Omar Sy who stands out in this film. Despite being French, Sy is perfectly at ease in an English-language film, delivering a performance that balances both toughness and warmth effortlessly. His character feels real, and his natural charisma elevates the film, making him the one redeeming aspect. 'Shadow Force' never fully capitalizes on the potential its premise offers. It stays on the surface level, failing to dive deeper into its characters or plot. While it delivers on action, it never goes the extra mile, and in the end, it remains a forgettable, average film.
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Kerry Washington's new action movie is a blast — and blew my expectations away
It's tough to decide whether to go to the theaters or stick to what's on the best streaming services. But if you want something to watch this weekend, go to your local cinema and check out Kerry Washington in "Shadow Force." I'll be honest, when I saw the trailer, I wasn't particularly impressed. It felt like a cliche action movie in all the worst ways. But I had a chance to see it at the Atlanta Film Festival and felt I had an obligation to go. I'm glad I did, because I had a blast (pun somewhat intended). Don't get me wrong, this movie doesn't break the mold, and it definitely has some of those aforementioned action movie cliches. But it also has some great performances, hilarious moments and impressive action set pieces with some spectacular kills. Here's why you should go see 'Shadow Force' when it hits theaters this weekend. 'Shadow Force' stars Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as Kyrah and Isaac, respectively. These two were former members of a special forces team known as Shadow Force, but they fell in love, had a son named Ky (Jahleel Kamara) and decided to abandon their team and go dark to keep Ky safe. Unfortunately for them, one day Isaac's location is exposed to the world, and now Shadow Force director Jack Cinder (Mark Strong) has unleashed the remaining members of his kill squad to hunt Kyrah and Isaac down — offering $50 million to whoever can get the job done. Full disclosure: This movie is borderline a rom-com masquerading as an action comedy at times. There's an ex who isn't over the relationship, a woman trying to protect her family, and even star-crossed lovers connecting through the soulful music of Lionel Richie. But for as much as this movie can be a love story, it's also got gunfire, explosions, and well-executed hand-to-hand combat. The climactic action set piece, in particular, is up there with set pieces from the best action movies. Set on an island villa, this scene devolves into a shootout that's thrilling to watch, with quite of few impressive kills. It then transitions into a chase sequence and a few final battles with another fantastic kill or two, and by the end, you feel like you more than got your money's worth. Action isn't the only thing 'Shadow Force' has going for it — Jahleel Kamara is hysterical as Kyrah and Isaac's son and Da'Vine Joy Randolph kills it as Auntie, one of Kyrah and Isaac's old friends who is also hunting Cinder and the remains of Shadow Force. Mark Strong as the villainous Cinder also produces a few incredible moments, including one that had people in my screening gasping in shock. But these performances ultimately wouldn't make this a movie worth going to the theater for if the action isn't well-executed. That's the main reason to go see "Shadow Force." So, go to your local theater, grab some popcorn and a soda and strap in for 104 minutes of mindless fun and Hollywood violence. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
