Directed by Dimitri Logothetis (Jiu Jitsu) from a script he co – wrote with Gary Scott Thompson (Fast X, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) the action-packed thriller feature film Gunner is led by Luke Hemsworth (Land of Bad, Bosch & Rockit aka Ocean Boy), “Westworld” TV series) and Morgan Freeman.
Short Synopsis: When ruthless drug traffickers kidnap his children, ex-special forces operative Lee Gunner embarks on a violent life-or-death mission. With his unique skills and nothing to lose, he’ll take on an army to bring his family home.
War veteran Colonel Lee Gunner (Hemsworth) has returned to civilian life in the small town where the mother of his children (played by Yulia Klass), and two remaining sons live. Things in town have changed extensively over the course of the time he has been serving in the military. While helping at the local bar, he steps in to stop some bullies who are relentless. It is quickly established in the scenes that Gunner has skills they are unprepared for. There are some very good fight scenes, and it is quite evident the thugs were not going to win, so that may be a bit predictable for some viewers.
After the lengthy tour of duty, he attempts to reconnect with the two sons, 10-year-old Luke (Grant Feely (Five Nights at Freddy’s) and 16-year-old Travis (Connor DeWolfe, “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” TV series). Gunner plans a camping trip for the boys with their Uncle Jon Thomas (Barry Jay Minoff, Assassin, 2023). When they arrive, the water source is unusually depleted. While checking the terrain, Jon stumbles over something that sets off a chain of events. While Gunner sets into action to help Jon, the boys try to go for help but disappear.
All the scenes for the camping trip are well done and the discovery of the property adjacent to the campsite is good too, but something may have been cut from the script or in editing. As extensive a military training and career that Gunner has had, I would have thought he would have thoroughly investigated all the area surrounding the proposed camping area before taking the family in.
The leader of the drug gang, Dobbs Ryker (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) is heading the operation for his kingpin father in prison, Kendrick Ryker (Freeman). Since there has been a disturbance at the “factory,” Dobbs must deal with the loss of product and two minors picked up by his thugs. While Dobbs tries to impress his father, he keeps losing his hired hands to Gunner’s elite combat skills. This father has unrelenting determination to rescue his sons. Unfortunately, there are some parachute scenes that could have been done better. (Maybe a budget issue?) The other scenes that are unpleasant are the flashes from the guns. They almost appear as bits of fireworks and do not enhance the film. Some viewers may be more unhappy with these scenes, but it is not so bad as to avoid viewing the film.
Some scenes merit an R rating because of drugs and nudity. Run Time: 119 minutes. Gunner is available to own or rent on digital download now through: Apple TV, Amazon, Skystore, Rakuten, Virgin Media, YouTube, Microsoft. Digital Release dates: TVOD/EST December 9, 2024
Source: Distributed by Vertigo Releasing
###