Omar Sy has been described as “the Jamie Foxx of France,” and ever since his standout turn in Netflix’s Lupin, American audiences have been falling for him as well. So why not pair him up with an A-list Hollywood actress for an action flick? The promotional poster for Shadow Force, unfortunately, doesn’t properly serve a film whose release date was rescheduled for Mother’s Day due to its relatable parental themes. Luckily, the mom in focus opposite the appealing Sy is Kerry Washington, channeling the charisma fans grew to love in ABC’s Scandal.
Washington and Sy are magnetic as gun-wielding parents trying to protect their young son in Lionsgate’s latest action offering, a by-the-numbers thrill ride that can only be truly appreciated in the cinemas. From co-writer and director Joe Carnahan (Smokin’ Aces, Copshop), Shadow Force is here to offer an alternative love letter to moms this holiday weekend. But its family sentiments are overshadowed by the blazing guns and R-rated violence.
Dads Stepping Up
As Mother’s Day approaches, many moms will be quick to advocate for dads pulling their weight. This notion is uniquely explored in Shadow Force, where life-threatening circumstances force elite assassin Isaac (Sy) to raise his son Ky (Jahleel Kamara) single-handedly. Years earlier, Isaac’s wife and fellow operative Kyrah (Washington) had to go rogue and abandon them — and no, not for selfish reasons. It’s all in an effort to keep the family safe, after bounties were placed on the couple’s heads by their hotheaded former employer Jack (Mark Strong, doing his signature villainous thing). That’s what you get, apparently, when you break the “Shadow Force” organization’s rules by having the audacity to start a family.
When Kyrah disappeared, that meant their son was now in Isaac’s hands. And fatherhood looks good on Sy, as we watch his and his son’s day-to-day life in the film’s first act. All is gravy, until a heist suddenly unfolds in the same bank where Isaac and Ky happen to be one day. Since Isaac is skilled in hand-to-hand combat, he advises Ky to close his eyes and ears while Daddy saves the day. We watch as Isaac, who has a hearing deficiency, removes his hearing aids before taking down the robbers, the silence allowing him to dish out his assassin moves with grace. It’s a character device that will later resurface, but could have had a juicier payoff in the film’s final act. It’s a missed opportunity, but you can’t win them all — especially in an action movie that ultimately falls victim to formulaic plot beats.
Given that Shadow Force is set in modern-day America, the bank Isaac rescues naturally has CCTV cameras, and his face is all over the news once the media picks up the heroic story. That’s how his ex-boss catches wind of Isaac’s whereabouts, sending a team of seasoned assassins after him, with a $25 million bounty on his head. But someone else is looking for Isaac as well: his long-lost wife Kyrah, who decides to come out of hiding and reunite with the family. It’s a bittersweet moment when she sees how much her young son has grown since they last embraced. But then it’s all business, since she and Isaac know it’s only a matter of time before Jack’s henchmen track them down. Kyrah has a contact in the CIA she calls “Auntie” (Da’Vine Joy Randolph, underused in her first foray into action movies), who helps Kyrah alongside her partner “Unc” (Method Man). It all builds to a face-to-face showdown with Kyrah and Isaac’s bloodthirsty former boss Jack, who isn’t afraid to stir violence in front of a young boy.
Mom or Dad: Who’s the Better Shot?
Seeing Washington and Sy flirt and bounce one-liners off each other is a strength of Shadow Force. Another funny recurring gag comes when Kyrah occasionally reminds the buffer Isaac that she’s always been the “better shot.” Washington brings a certain authenticity to her role that shines through in otherwise tense scenes, like when she calmly straps Ky into the trunk of their super-vehicle before a car chase. (This lengthy action sequence is the centerpiece moment of Shadow Force, one that Lionsgate is clearly hoping will set the internet ablaze.) Isaac drives at ungodly speeds to evade the assassins in pursuit, while Kyrah fires off endless rounds to fend them off.
These highlights, however, feel distant once the third act falls victim to predictable outcomes. The final face-offs just don’t feel as special, probably because the spellbinding effect of Washington and Sy’s heroism has worn off by that point. But their charisma is reason enough for fans to tune in this Mother’s Day weekend. And, if nothing else, sacrifice for the sake of family is a touching theme.
From Lionsgate, Shadow Force will be released in theaters on Friday.
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