Kandahar reunites Gerard Butler with director Ric Roman Waugh.
Ric Roman Waugh is a former stuntman turned director; his latest film is Kandahar. For a third time, he is teaming up with Gerard Butler for a film that features Middle Eastern stars such as Navid Negahban and Ali Fazal. Waugh is best known for the films Angel Has Fallen and Greenland, which will both receive sequels. Additionally, Waugh will direct the newly announced Cliffhanger sequel starring Sylvester Stallone. Kandahar will be in theaters starting May 26th. Watch our interview with Ric Roman Waugh.
Synopsis
An undercover CIA operative is stuck in hostile territory in Afghanistan after his mission is exposed. Accompanied by his translator, he must fight enemy combatants to reach an extraction point in Kandahar.
Kandahar is not your typical middle eastern secret ops film. Instead, it tackles the effects decades of war, inter-tribal fighting, international troop deployment, and covert activity has on a region. This film piqued my interest as it features multiple Iranian actors, and Butler is partnered with one of the best in the business Navid Negahban. Both have great chemistry together and deliver exceptional performances as they must survive traveling to their destination with a hefty price on their heads.
Ali Fazal, one of India’s biggest stars, plays a really slick and level-headed character. He is a motorcycle-riding assassin with endless resources to hunt down Butler and Negahbans’s characters. Waugh delivers an intense, action-adventure drama with plenty of practical effects and great cinematography. It is refreshing to see real explosions and minimal CGI in films. However, despite a massive exchange of bullets, the most powerful moments are when philosophies and wise words are exchanged. Unfortunately, where this film becomes dull is with its pacing and 2-hour runtime that feels like 190 minutes. This film would have greatly benefitted by cranking the action to the max level.
Verdict
I give Kandahar 3.5 out of 5 stars. It shines a light on the constant cycle of war in the Middle East as it entertains you simultaneously. It will be in theaters on May 26th. Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and Subscribe to our YouTube.
Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis. He is a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.