dangkoen Reviews

Extraction II (2023)

Lacks emotional punches, but more & bigger action make up for it

[17 June 2023]

Had to rewatch Extraction afterwards, barely remembering a lot of details in it to be able to review this sequel...

It's a good successor to the previous entry in that it ramps up the action in bigger & more creative ways, the performers are all game. I just hope that for probable sequels the CGI shots & sequences will be toned down. It wasn't bad, but noticable at times & took me a out of the film a little bit. More real action for the next entry please!

Like the first Extraction the acting is good, you don't have the feeling any actor is bored. What is regrettable side characters that got more screen time receveid little development in both films, therefore scenes that are supposed to deliver an emotional impact fall a bit flat. However Tyler Rake is handled well & you feel every moment along with him. Chris Hemsworth's acting & physical gifts are not lacking, I'm not averse to seeing more Rake in the future!

Gripes I had is Rake seemed to get over his injuries fairly quick, & the final stand-off being in a church. These sequences are so clichéd in film at this point, hope the filmmakers think up something original for the next entry or entries.

All in all, Extraction 2 is worth the watch.

Lost Bullet 2: Back for More (2022)

High octane sequel

[16 November 2022]

Lost Bullet was a solid action movie, which reduced action in favor of the story & characters. Lost Bullet 2 amps up the action & it works in every way.

We start off with our main character Lino in a bad place, staking out the house of a supposedly fled enemy illegally on a daily basis. When some goons show up at her house with bad intentions, Lino kicks back into action in familiar, brutal & believable way. From here it's practically all out action; fist fights & car chases. It all works surprisingly well, with a lot of creative touches added to the car sequences & impressive stunts.

The only things that bugged me were the time jumps, the no-show of an apparently important villain of the story & a primary henchman whos screen time felt kind of wasted.

Yet this is a solid action flick, competent successor to Lost Bullet.

Alice in Borderland (2020– )

A genuine surprise

[7 November 2022]

I was always impressed watching Asian films or series. It's fascinating to see how, like most productions not made in & or around Hollywood, they tackle their subjects differently & yet are able to visually & emotionally touch your inner self.

The plot is a bit of a mix between Battle Royale & Squid Game plus the characters are generally cardboard cutouts. It is in the way the characters are used that feels refreshing & the twists & turns are genuinely surprising. The action is finely shot & edited, with a raw brutality that reminds the viewer of the desparate situation the characters are in.

The end definitely left me wanting more, I'm looking forward to season 2!

Echoes (2022)

The type of show we need

[7 November 2022]

By the title I don't mean the general concept as in, we have to keep guessing all the time. More along the lines of intriguing & able to hold your attention. Due to our politically correct times, many series severely lack in this department.

A fine cast leads this mystery. Michelle Monaghan does a fine job balancing her 2 characters, I never felt she dropped a note. The other roles I felt were performed well & you felt for the characters suffering from the sister's shenanigans. And it is vital to keep your attention at all times, otherwise you will miss important information in regards to what is truly going on.

A recommended watch, it does truly feel refreshing amidst all the mediocre series being released.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)

The greatest Trek

[29 October 2022]

Wow, what a great run this was. Embarassed to say I waited 13 years to watch this, fearing I wouldn't like it...

The Original Series is a classic & I love it, but Deep Space Nine is the best Star Trek series I ever watched. Great characters, writing, production values, even visual & special effects... It was a breath of fresh air after The Next Generation, while good to average, I found it hard & dull to sit through at times. It was a mere extention of the original series. Deep Space Nine actually did something new & refreshing while further expanding the lore.

And you know it's done right if it has you emotionally connected & invested in the characters & what is happening to & around them. Frankly it's not only the best Star Trek or one of the best sci-fi series of all time, it is simply one of the best TV series of all time!

It was an honor & a privilege to watch this show, salutations!

Castle Falls (2021)

Loved this movie

[26 August 2022]

Dolph Lundgren's & Scott Adkins' long experience in the film industry has produced yet another action movie that shows what is sorely missing from mainstream Hollywood.

Relatable characters whos motivations you understand coupled with competent action sequences. The resolutions to their story arcs are satisfactory handled as well. The acting was good all around.

Take note, mainstream Hollywood or you will be losing more bucks.

The Liberator (2020)

A reminder of the horrors & humanity in war

[20 April 2022]

The series is an interesting & unique concept with it's color palette, time will tell if it's used further. I'm not against it.

At the core, not following a general plotline, it's about the inspiring comradery of a multi-ethnic squad during World War II, & the hardships they endure on battlegrounds in various locations.

Always great to see there were good men on both sides, willing to show humanity when called for.

It is definitely an emotional rollercoaster with uplifting & downright sad to horrifying moments. A joyful & committed cast makes it a pleasure to watch, headlined by the charismatic Bradley James.

Make sure to view :)

Ambulance (2022)

Fast, gripping, intense & fun

[6 April 2022]

In the tradition of Speed, this is the sort of movie that's missing from Hollywood these days.

Michael Bay brings his signature visual style & eye for thrilling action scenes to the table here. Just the sort of film to sit back & relax to. It also moves along at a brisk pace, not overstaying it's welcome.

Along with "The Batman", this feature has elements Hollywood can learn from instead of relying on shallow entertainment as is sadly the case a lot in current times.

Surprisingly it hasn't made a lot of money yet, go see this movie!

Get the Gringo (2012)

Fun little action thriller

[7 November 2021]

This movie caught my eye once or twice in the past, finally I got around to actually watch it & was pleasantly surprised.

It was totally not what I expected, it has a fun cast -who give good performances-, story & good pace. It will surely keep you entertained for an hour & a half. Definitely recommended!

Bullet in the Head (1990)

John Woo's action love letter to The Deer Hunter & Scarface

[2 May 2021]

A moving story brought to life by strong performances from the actors, pinpoint direction, production & action choreography.

It is an excellent mix of emotion & action, one of the best action movies ever made. The obvious Deer Hunter influences aside, the club shootout is very reminiscent of Scarface. A certain tribute from John Woo to those films.

You're on the edge of your seat until the heartwrenching finale, a must see for any action-& even movie lover!

The Devil's Own (1997)

This is how a thriller should be done

[12 April 2021]

A simple story elevated by a good cast, & makes you think about duality inside human beings & what it means to be human.

The Thirteenth Floor (1999)

One of the best sci-fi thrillers ever made

[11 April 2021]

I feel a bit of melancholy this film never crossed my radar, although I know it's not my fault.

The plot moves at a smooth pace & is full of intrigue & ingenious twists. The characters are the types of people you'd quickly recognize with familiar tropes, & it works well in this film.

It dares to question the vary essence & capabilities of consciousness, how far humans are willing or forced to go in achieving their goals/dreams.

How the movie is not more well known is beyond me, watch it!

Fatman (2020)

I like this movie

[20 March 2021]

The nicely paced, unravelling story is supported well by a good cast, who make their fun characters believable. The way we are introduced to Santa Claus & his world, is a neat way of world building. One wonders if a sequel is on the directors' minds.

My one complaint is the scene with the delivery driver, he just gives company restricted information to the hitman? Not well written scene.

Worth a watch, go for it :)

Lost Bullet (2020)

Actioner that breaks conventions

[5 July 2020]

Based on the trailer you'd expect an over the top action film with explosive car chases. I was pleasantly surprised this wasn't the case.

Instead the viewer gets an action thriller whos twists & turns break a lot of action cliches. The cast are good, fight scenes are raw & gritty. The car chases have a fine, realistic feel to them. As if the chases were filmed in the 70's, but adapted for today. Be on the lookout for a very creative battering hook near the end :)

A good film to spend an hour & a half on, recommended :)

Extraction (2020)

Solid action film that pulls no punches

[24 April 2020]

I literally just finished watching the film this evening & only learned of it yesterday night! No regrets wanting to check it out.

The film thrives on it's creative action & fight choreography, with a well done & edited long take sequence, at the same time showing the harsh environment our protagonists have to wade through. Chris Hemsworth & Randeep Hooda give it their all in the action sequences & their hard work surely pays off. They are supported by an interesting & fun cast.

Worth a watch!

Undisputed 4: Boyka (2016 Video)

Boyka's arc continues with an emotionally involving story

[7/10 · 29 October 2017]

Now many people (rightfully)say this kind of story is been done so many times. However the previous installments built up the character of Uri Boyka so well in characteristics & abilities we can't help but be involved in his current goal for redemption.

Good performances -especially Scott Adkins, whos character Boyka is already a cult favorite- along with fight sequences that are even more inventive than the previous films make this a worthy addition after Undisputed 2 & 3. The only criticism I have is the beating & injuries Boyka receives near the end are a long stretch in terms of survival, but I'm giving it a pass because I enjoyed this flick a lot.

Boyka: Undisputed is definitely worth the buy!

Wonder Woman (2017)

Refreshing take on a heroine's journey

[9/10 · 16 July 2017]

Wonder Woman's first ever solo film is a home run for me. Due to stellar to good performances from the cast, - in particular the amazing chemistry between Gal Gadot & Chris Pine - I was there with the main characters all the way. Especially Wonder Woman/Diana is the one character we feel & support through the ordeal she & her company endure. She needs no reason to help any being, it is just who she is.

An already old tale is told in a very refreshing way, exactly what superhero movies needed. This film delivered supported by a strong emotional center, adequate humor & good action sequences.

This is not a superhero film, it is a FILM. A strong recommendation, I give no less of a reason to go see this movie!

The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Slam bang, wall to wall action with adequate humor & even good emotional worth

[8/10 · 14 April 2017]

The Fast & Furious movies are never going to win any Oscars, but on an action level they do deliver. Producer Vin Diesel & the team of filmmakers - in particular the second unit - were indeed able to up the ante for the action sequences as mentioned starting from the 5th installment, giving viewers some of the most daring stunt work put to film in recent times.

For deep, intriguing plots you're at the wrong address as well, the story is so absurd. But it works for this franchise as the cast is clearly all in to have a blast, especially Charlize Theron who stands out as the psychotic villain, & they even carry the emotional scenes quite well.

Keep the momentum going & they are sure to have mega fire hits with installments 9 & 10! Bring them on!

The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

Near perfect classic

[9/10 · 11 April 2017]

Few films have drawn emotion from me as this one. A great set of characters portrayed strongly by it's talented cast, supported by a compelling interpretation of the events that led to the downfall of Rome, told in an intelligent manner. And even the central love story is involving & cheerful.

The action set pieces portray an entertaining, yet brutal & uncomfortable feeling of near realism. The filmmakers are able to tell that ultimately violence is a cruel thing & should never be resorted to.

All the above factors combined really kept me involved, which is a rare case as mentioned above. The few flaws do not ruin the experience of this great film, recommended to moviegoers without a doubt!

Logan (2017)

Disappointing

[5/10 · 3 March 2017]

Most of the negative complaints surrounding this film are well covered by other reviewers, mostly the overall predictability, excessive violence + cursing & clichéd villains. Offcourse there are more issues that I won't mention.

The main problem is the emotional impact you SHOULD have seeing beloved characters perish, just isn't there. Because we know one character has the consciousness from the original timeline & a second character is an alternate version due to the altered timeline from Days Of Future Past.

I didn't dig the Children Of Men-style plot, the super soldier-esque serum, X-24 & the exaggerated healing abilities of the former.

The first half of the film was good, but started to fall apart with the introduction of the family & X-24. I had hoped for a better final outing for Hugh Jackman, rather then a partial rehash of The Wolverine (the subsided healing factor, the clinic scene!!).

Regardless despite some of the X-Men & stand alone Wolverine films lacking in quality, I truly admire the commitment Jackman gave to this role. I do give an extra point for some of the best live action Wolverine asskicking we've seen yet (the part where Logan goes berserk in the forest). I'll surely miss him in the role.

Eliminators (2016)

Fun little action thriller

[7/10 · 26 February 2017]

Being unimpressed by "Hard Target 2" I was apprehensive about Adkins' new low budget effort.

This is quite an enjoyable gem with some clever (fight) sequences, kudos to the bottle cap moment during Wade Barrett's first action scene & the aerial tramway fight. There's also a nice tension going on in the film at times, which does make you want to keep watching.

The downside offcourse is the acting is not great & most characters won't stay in your memory very long. Also Barrett's villain was quite cliché with his taunting. In the end though it's not what action fans usually look for in a low budget actioner & "Eliminators" is certainly good viewing material for Scott Adkins fans, who will see their favorite martial arts star go up against wrestler Wade Barrett in two raw put together fight sequences!

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Very enjoyable, but in slight danger of becoming stale

[7/10 · 24 February 2017]

John Wick: Chapter 2 continues on the strengths of it's predecessor: interesting cast of characters, visuals, intricate action/fight choreography & blasting soundtrack.

This time around although most of the cast give good performances, Keanu Reeves was a bit wooden this time around. No idea if it's the direction, Keanu's approach to the role or the script's dialog, just something that struck me slightly & maybe a detail that needs to be looked into.

Staleness is also on the edge of flowing into this new world of assassins as seeing John Wick go through hordes of disposable bad guys starts to feel tired already. Surprising as the action started out quite inventive, but seemed to run out of steam by the final act. I hope the team behind the action & fight sequences up their game for John Wick 3.

Still a fun ride nonetheless, despite the little issues mentioned.

Stranger Things (2016–2025)

The Thing, E.T., Alien, Predator, X-Men, 80's vibe... What I'm I watching?

[8/10 · 23 February 2017]

Sarcastic title, having finished season 1 a couple of days prior & looking forward to season 2.

A great cast, good script & OK visual effects supported by good lighting, this show is a fun throwback to all Things 80's (You see what I did there?)& even part 70's (notice the Jaws' style police uniforms & vehicles). Swiftly combined elements of several film genres & music make for solid entertainment that proves - along with shows like Westworld - series are better then a lot of films that come out these days.

There are quite some opinions that state season 1 wraps everything up ambigiously, but not necessarily needs to lead into a 2nd season. I'm rather glad it flows into season 2, which I read was always the intention.

Stranger Things is worth the views, check it out!

Doctor Strange (2016)

Stranger things

[8/10 · 23 February 2017]

Generally I regard most of the Marvel's shared universe projects as fun, but ultimately filler entertainment for the most part. My favorites are Iron Man, The Winter Soldier & new addition Doctor Strange.

Expanding on the more magical aspect of the Marvel universe, - introduced in the dismal Thor: The Dark World - we are introduced to alternative/reality bending powers & dimensions. There is no character better suited as a candidate to go on this journey with then Doctor Stephen Strange. He is the master of magic, regardless of which medium the audience/readers find themselves in.

Played suavely by Benedict Cumberbatch, a lot of people draw comparisons with Tony Stark. They do share some personality traits, however Stephen Strange set himself apart - at least in the film - by being more reserved in his attitude.

Supported by a strong cast who give good - Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mordo) & Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius) - to great performances, - Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One) - Doctor Strange proves a strong addition to Marvel's shared universe despite it's fairly rushed by the numbers story. Also kudos to the team behind the amazing visual effects and their well deserved Oscar nomination!

Point Break (2015)

I got what I expected *SPOILERS AHEAD*

[8/10 · 13 May 2016]

This film was being slandered from it's announcement, simply because it was perceived as being a pointless remake. So many remakes of different genres were done that had no point & yet turned out to be good. It is the same case here.

The makers clarified it would be more of a reimagining of what was already seen, rather then a full on remake. In general, the acting is decent. The only rather flat performance I'd say came from Ray Winstone, mumbling through his lines. I love the fact most of the action is real time, rather then CGI. CGI is prominent in waves these days, it really feels refreshing to see some real stunt work. The cinematography is near outstanding as we follow the characters over various continents.

Especially positive about this film is that it shows the antagonists aren't idiots & figured Utah was a cop early on, a clever addition. The twist involving Samsara is sure to surprise viewers as well. Also loved how they had Bodhi rescue Utah from the wave, a nice homage to the original film & there are a few more in there :). What blends surprisingly well is the already familiar anti-establishment mentality of Bodhi's group & the new eco-terrorism angle. The dialogue concerning their state of mind is written in rather expositionary, but good enough substance.

Negatives involve some scenes & character introductions feeling rushed. The character Chowder (Tobias Santelmann)suffers the most from this flaw & his early demise makes his character a complete waste of screen time. Also the scene where Utah empties his gun in the air could have been handled better, & if that wasn't possible, should have been omitted from the film. Lastly the CGI during Bodhi's last wave looks rather sloppy, as it's clear the actors are standing in front of a green screen most of the time. And ironically, like the original film, the scene concerning Bodhi's last wave feels tagged on.

Nonetheless I really enjoyed this film & recommend you watch it with an open mind.