Gunner 2024 Watch on 123films

Gunner 2024 Watch on 123films

Blog Article

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to what I like to call the Hemsworth effect, or perhaps the Hemsworth trifecta, or even the Hemsworth trinity. I'm still brainstorming the perfect name for this exciting trend in action cinema, where we’re not just seeing one Hemsworth delivering thrilling performances, but now we have all three! Chris, the most well-known of the trio, has made a name for himself as Thor in the MCU and Tyler Rake in the Extraction series. He’s been in the game the longest and has enjoyed the most success, but his brothers are quickly catching up in the action genre. This year, Liam Hemsworth has starred in one of the standout action films, Land of Bad, which also featured Luke Hemsworth in a supporting role. Now, Luke is stepping into the spotlight with his own lead role in a film aptly titled Gunner. Honestly, I believe a movie featuring all three brothers would be pure cinematic gold.

While the film does have its shortcomings, such as some questionable music choices during the action scenes and less-than-stellar CGI effects—think muzzle flashes, blood sprays, and explosions, along with some rather amusing parachuting moments—it still manages to be an enjoyable, old-school black ops film. In Gunner, Luke portrays a new action hero, Lee Gunner, a former Green Beret turned private sector operative. You’ve got to appreciate when the hero’s last name is the title of the movie; it really sets the tone for a character with both a memorable name and impressive skills.

However, things aren’t looking too bright for Lee. His military service has taken a toll on his marriage, leading to a strained relationship with his teenage son. Tragically, his oldest son has also died as a direct consequence of his military service during the Afghanistan War. To add to the drama, Lee was missing for nearly a year after a mission where he heroically saved an entire fire team, only to end up as a prisoner himself.

A camping trip with friends and his brother-in-law Jon takes a wild turn when they accidentally stumble upon a major drug operation in the woods, run by Dobbs Ryker, portrayed by Mykel Shannon Jenkins from Undisputed 3: Redemption. While Dobbs is not the top dog—his father Kendrick Ryker, played by the legendary Morgan Freeman, holds that title—Kendrick's imprisonment leaves Dobbs to manage the family business alone.

When Lee, Jon, and the group inadvertently set off an explosion that kills Jon, Lee transforms into a one-man army, determined to rescue his sons and take down Dobbs along with the Asian biker gang working for the Ryker family. To make matters worse, Dobbs kidnaps Lee’s sons, forcing him into tough decisions and acts of heroism. Fortunately, Gunner, an elite special ops warrior and Medal of Honor recipient for his bravery in the Middle East, steps in. The film is packed with intense gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and impressive stunts as Gunner showcases his skills for the majority of the movie.

Dimitri Logothetis, known for directing the Kickboxer reboot series featuring Alain Moussi and Jean-Claude Van Damme, takes the helm of this action-packed chaos. He understands what action fans crave, and with Gunner, he delivers a polished product, even if the limited budget occasionally reveals some less-than-stellar effects. While the film may fall short in visual effects, it compensates with raw, gritty action and a relentless display of bravado and fighting spirit.

Gunner 2024 Watch on 123films

Luke shines in his first major leading role in an action film, proving he’s more than capable of handling the challenge. Throughout the movie, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he channels Thomas Jane, another action film veteran. I hear echoes of Jane in his voice and see his mannerisms reflected in Luke, which is a huge compliment since Jane has always been one of my favorites. Luke fits the role perfectly, convincingly navigates the intense battle scenes, and gets plenty of chances to showcase some impressive close-quarters combat skills. Honestly, I’d love to see Luke take on the role of Gunner in more films down the line, as he has a commanding presence and solid action skills.

As for Morgan Freeman, having him in this film, even in a limited capacity, is a significant win. Freeman is one of those legendary figures in Hollywood who can elevate even the most mediocre films. Fortunately, Gunner is far from bad, and Freeman’s presence only enhances it. Their dynamic with Kendrick and Hemsworth’s Gunner in the latter part of the movie is particularly engaging, making their scenes together truly memorable.

Mykel Shannon Jenkins, known for Undisputed 3, plays the real villain here, and like Freeman, he brings a captivating presence to the role of Dobbs, who is more complex than he initially appears. While he’s a drug dealer, he genuinely doesn’t want to harm the kids, insisting he’s not a monster. In this case, the villain is a worthy opponent for Gunner, leading to an exciting showdown on a helicopter in the film's climax.

The action is what we all look forward to, and I’m thrilled to say that Gunner truly delivers with three standout sequences that encompass everything you’d expect from an action film. You’ll witness intense firefights (even if they are CGI), some impressive tracer fire during the bullet-laden exchanges, and a dash of martial arts choreography, especially since the biker gang is Asian and naturally skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Hemsworth stands shoulder to shoulder with legendary action stars like Stallone and Schwarzenegger, and I can see him evolving into a modern-day Kurt Russell if his upcoming projects go well. He embodies the role with a fierce intensity that’s both striking and engaging, particularly in the middle sequence where he showcases a bit of everything. The choreography is inventive, and the carnage throughout is sure to satisfy action enthusiasts looking for that thrill. There’s just something about a lone warrior wreaking havoc in action films that brings a smile to my face, and I found myself grinning quite a bit here.

Hemsworth even has a scene where he breaks into a prison, reminiscent of his brother Chris in Extraction 2. While this moment may not have the same explosive energy or extended action, it still holds its own.

As I mentioned earlier, some of the music choices in Gunner are a bit questionable and pulled me out of the experience at times. It’s a shame because there’s a solid cinematic action score present, but Logothetis opts for some out-of-place 70s tunes, blues tracks, and even hardcore hip-hop. I’m not sure why they thought this was a better fit, but thankfully, the finale returns to the score. The initial confrontation between Gunner and some formidable women would have made a stronger impact without the distracting 70s music. It was a bit cringeworthy.

Gunner doesn't bring anything fresh to the table, sticking to well-worn clichés like the abduction of children, a protagonist with a troubled history, and over-the-top villains just waiting to be taken down by the lead. Honestly, who really minds? The trailer for Gunner makes it clear what to expect, and I was all in for the explosions, the bad guys getting taken out, and our hero showing that he can handle things without a weapon because he is a weapon himself. That's precisely what I got!