Review
Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse (Action, Thriller) [Based on Novel by] (2021)
Director: Stefano Sollima
Writer: Taylor Sheridan, Will Staples, Tom Clancy (Based on Novel by)
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell, Guy Pearce
On his path to revenge, Navy SEAL John Kelly (Michael B. Jordan) uncovers a conspiracy inside his organization. Determined to right some wrongs and unafraid of repercussions, his retaliation comes at any cost.
Using the Tom Clancy tag in the title, this film is based on the 1993 novel of the same name. Featuring a script based around revenge ''Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse'' isn’t out to be a creative masterpiece.
Having recently seen ''SAS: Red Notice'' this latest Tom Clancy novel rendition is comparable to such a film. Not trying anything new and going with what works, but as with making a classic dish, you need to make sure your basics are on point. When we look at the casting, things look great, Michael B. Jordan playing protagonist/anti-hero John Kelly supported by the emblematic Guy Pearce along with some cameos by established names known mainly for their TV roles in Luke Mitchell [Blindspot, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.] and Colman Domingo [Fear the Walking Dead, The Knick].
Regrettably, the casting isn’t enough to make ‘’Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse’’ any less bland. Both the effects and fight choreography are halfway decent, but nothing more than that. There’s too much attention going to the wrong things and not any clear decision in making it a thriller or an action flick. When we look at the antagonists, things are painfully clichéd using Russians. Albeit based on a Tom Clancy novel, writers should forego this stereotype unless it actually makes sense or is sufficiently supported by the script. Also, they should logically be casting actual Russians, which this film does, to be fair, except for the lead antagonist Brett Gelman, an American who did learn some Russian for his role in ‘’Stranger Things’’. Nevertheless, viewers should no longer tolerate this behaviour by American filmmakers of always choosing Russian bad guys in TV or movie scripts despite the countries competing history with the USSR.
Even with low expectations, nothing honestly impresses, the basics feel fumbled, with Clancy’s name fixed to a multitude of games, series and films throughout the years; at this point, it feels fair to ask the question if the acclaimed author’s name should still be on there, it’s not like this is done with anyone else, it’s not J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Despite likely having marketing and financial reasons regarding the rights of author Tom Clancy’s name at this point, it is almost as if they’re defacing his grave.
Seriously lacking the depth and substance Stefano Sollima, Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples tried to inject. Permeating with goofs and plot holes, aforementioned halfway decent fight choreography and effects combined with gun sounds that could be coming from a BB gun, this film is nothing more than a sub-par gun-ho action flick.
Verdict
I’m remorseful after watching this movie.
4,2
