Gunner Review

Gunner follows the story of Colonel Lee Gunner, a war veteran who embarks on a daring mission to rescue his two sons, who have been kidnapped by ruthless criminals tied to a dangerous drug cartel. What could have been a gripping rescue mission turns into a chaotic mess, offering little in terms of quality or entertainment.

Review: A Throwback to ‘80s Action, But With None of the Charm

Gunner is a prime example of a film that’s so bad, it’s almost entertaining. From lackluster performances to a generic plot and laughable CGI, it channels the over-the-top action films of the ’80s that tried to capture the magic of Rambo but fail spectacularly. Unfortunately, Gunner never manages to live up to its potential, making it an unwatchable mess rather than an action-packed thriller.

The story begins with Colonel Lee Gunner (Luke Hemsworth), a war veteran who returns to his hometown of Clinton after serving time. Separated from his wife, Gunner hopes to reconnect with his sons, Travis (Connor DeWolfe) and Luke (Grant Feely), and plans a camping trip to bond with them. However, things quickly take a dark turn when they discover a drug factory run by criminals. After attempting to alert the sheriff, Gunner’s sons are kidnapped by Dobbs (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) and his gang. Consumed with rage, Gunner vows to get revenge, launching a reckless pursuit of Dobbs. His plan involves breaking Dobbs’s father, Kendrick Ryker (Morgan Freeman), out of prison, adding an extra layer of convolutedness to an already shaky plot.

Despite the presence of Morgan Freeman, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, Gunner fails to capitalize on his star power. Freeman’s character is barely utilized, and his fifteen minutes of screen time do little to elevate the film. His performance is wasted, much like the film itself. The script does a disservice to all of its actors, leaving the performances flat and one-dimensional. Luke Hemsworth, in the lead role, struggles to portray the emotional depth of a devoted father, making his attempts to save his sons feel hollow and unconvincing.

The CGI is another glaring issue. The parachute sequence, in particular, is an embarrassment—clearly showing the film’s limited budget and lack of resources. Attempting ambitious stunts with such a small budget leads to poor results, drawing attention to the film’s low production value rather than impressing the audience. The decision to include these subpar effects only highlights the film’s shortcomings.

Plus Points of Gunner:

1. Star Power (Morgan Freeman): While underutilized, Morgan Freeman’s presence adds some weight to the film, even though his character is not given much screen time. His talent, even in limited roles, is always a highlight.
2. Action-Focused Plot: The basic premise of a father rescuing his kidnapped sons provides an action-packed backbone for the film, which could have been engaging with the right execution.
3. Potential for Suspense: The idea of Colonel Lee Gunner hunting down the criminals who kidnapped his sons has the potential to create tension and suspense—if the film had followed through effectively.

Minus Points of Gunner:

1. Weak Performances: Despite having a solid cast, the acting is flat and one-dimensional, with Luke Hemsworth struggling to bring depth to his character. The lack of emotional engagement makes the stakes of the film feel hollow.
2. Underutilized Morgan Freeman: Freeman’s character, Kendrick Ryker, is hardly featured and offers little to the plot, making his involvement feel like a missed opportunity.
3. Poor CGI and Special Effects: The film’s CGI, especially in the parachute sequence, is laughably bad, highlighting the film’s low-budget nature. The attempt at ambitious stunts only emphasizes the lack of resources.
4. Generic Plot: The rescue mission and revenge-driven story have been done countless times before, and Gunner fails to offer any fresh or exciting twists. It feels like a tired rehash of old action tropes.
5. Unconvincing Dialogue: The dialogue often falls flat, with some lines being so absurd that they unintentionally come off as comical, undermining the seriousness of the film’s premise.
6. Weak Script and Direction: The screenplay is weak, and the direction fails to create meaningful character development or emotional depth. This makes the entire plot seem contrived and hard to invest in.