What’s It About
An estranged couple with a bounty on their heads must go on the run with their son to avoid their former employer, a unit of shadow ops that has been sent to kill them.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
I couldn’t help but smile as Kerry Washington and Omar Sy charged the screen in “Shadow Force.” Nice to have two great Black stars lead an action film typically set aside for white stars such as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. While this movie would have been a better candidate for streaming, the chemistry between Washington and Sy as two former agents trying to protect their family is what makes it a must-watch. The film follows Kyrah Owens (Kerry Washington) and Isaac Sar (Omar Sy), who were once contract killers for an agency called Shadow Force. They fell in love (standard office romance, right?), and when Kyrah became pregnant, they knew they had to leave. The hitch? No one ever escapes Shadow Force. In order to protect their son Ky (Jahleel Kamara), they split up. Isaac kept Ky safe while Kyrah went into hiding, tracking down the ones who were tracking them down. It was their best bet for keeping their family alive. But then Isaac prevents a bank heist and is caught on the security cameras. This puts them back on Shadow Force’s boss, Jack Cinder (Mark Strong), who remains bitter that they just left him. Now, the family must return and fight to survive. Washington shines as Kyrah, with the same keenness we saw in Olivia Pope, but added ruthlessness. She’s a mama bear protecting her cub – tough and wild. Touch her family, and you’re asking for trouble. Sy steals the show as Isaac. He juggles being a ruthless warrior with being a devoted dad who listens to Lionel Richie songs for his kid. The combination of gruff and sensitive makes him a sheer pleasure to watch. While you’d maybe expect the generic marketing to fill this role somewhat half-cooked, Sy commits to this role with all his heart and does it. Mark Strong’s Cinder is just what you’d hope he is – cold, unemotional, and just hammy enough to be a great action villain. He’s the type of individual who bullies around his co-workers and demands whiskey while glowering over security tapes. Strong is aware that he’s in some sort of film and plays what he plays best. The surprise item of note here is Da’Vine Joy Randolph as “Auntie.” Fresh from her Oscar victory for “The Holdovers,” she provides much-needed levity to counteract the dark tone. Any scene she’s in immediately becomes more engaging. Method Man also pops up as “Unc,” getting some giggles by referencing his Wu-Tang days. If you only heard the buzz on this movie, you probably dismissed it as another forgettable action flick. The trailers with Washington and Sy’s awfully chopped faces and that gaudy font do not even begin to give it justice. But the movie itself is quite good. The cinematography by Juan Miguel Azpiroz provides a clear visual aesthetic to the film. The sound effects (something that we’re apt to take for granted) are a reminder of what action films should sound like. And the fight choreography? They’re actually thrilling, especially when Kyrah and Isaac go toe-to-toe in their reunion scene (nothing more “I missed you” than a good fight, I guess). Yes, the plot’s not particularly original. The “former assassins protecting their family” trope has been used previously. But “Shadow Force” has just the right amount of spins to make it fun, if not where you would expect an action movie to be. What makes the film succeed, though, is watching two Black heroes as a family literally fighting to stay together against an enraged government. As a Black audience member, I am undeniably satisfied with that visibility. But to reduce it to a “Black action film” is a disservice – it’s a great action movie that happens to have Black stars. Some will dismiss it as “woke” because they can’t handle the sight of Black stars without politicizing it. But the common viewer will just appreciate a well-crafted action movie with heart. “Shadow Force” isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It uses classic action tropes but does so successfully. The reunion scenes between Kyrah, Isaac, and Ky are nicely emotional in all the right moments. The final shot is beautifully done and will stay with you. Was it better than it could have been? Maybe. Two energetic Black heroes fighting against a government regime is better than a “good action movie.” But in a setting where we don’t often see ourselves as the heroes, “Shadow Force” is an improvement. It does what matters: good acting, engaging action, and characters you care about. If you’re feeling like a night out at the movies with a good emotional oomph, “Shadow Force” is up to the task. And really, I wouldn’t complain about seeing these people again in a sequel. Sometimes, representation isn’t about being seen – it’s about being seen doing cool stuff. And watching Kerry Washington and Omar Sy kicking bad guys’ butts for their families? That is kind of damn cool.
OUR RATING – A HEART AND SOUL 8