Cast
View All
Jackie Chan
as Dragon Luo
John Cena
as Chris
Ma Xinrui
as Mei
Jiang Wenli
as Professor Cheng
Xu Jia
as Shen Wei
Gong Jun
as Hai Ming
Rima Zeidan
as Li Yan
Hou Minghao
as Assistant Ning
Pilou Asbæk
as Paddock
Amadeus Serafini
as Henry
Hani Adel
as Captain Azir
Tim Man
as Knox
Max Huang
as Non-Chinese Contractor
Lee Huang
as Henry's Team Member #4
Nadine Leon Gobet
as Officer Rodriguez
Crew
Director
- Scott Waugh
Writer
- Arash Amel
Producer
- Hans Canosa
- Jackie Chan
- Robert Powers
- Chiu Wah Lee
- Esmond Ren
- Zhu Chonglie
Reviews
MovieGuys
Hidden Strike is a functional East meets West, military action thriller.
There's reasonable chemistry between Jackie Chan and John Cena. Both are likeable and function well together, as an action duo.Chan has a well established background in this kind of film, backed by decent martial arts skills, that are, once again, on display. Cena has an imposing physical presence that works equally as well. It helps no end either, that both can actually act.
Where this film falls down somewhat is it feels a little random. I think the key issue is there is a lack of building cohesive momentum towards a final show down, with the bad guy. Instead, what you get is a series of well choreographed gun and fight scenes, that feel "loosely thrown together" in a way that sort of works, just not terribly well.
Had more thought be put into linking these scenes into a more cohesive thematic story, it would have been a much better experience.
In summary, decent action, decent chemistry between the action buddy duo. Let down somewhat by an overly loose and disjointed approach, to the overriding action sequences and the basic story they are supposed to help tell.
Jul 31, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Comedy/Thriller film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Hidden Strike distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Scott Waugh brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2023, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Hidden Strike took approximately 36 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $80.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 103 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 159 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The costume department created over 462 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2023, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Hidden Strike shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Ancient Warriors, which focuses more on action than character development, Hidden Strike subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like G.I. Jane and Watch Out, We're Mad explore similar territory, Hidden Strike stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: July 6, 2023
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Budget: $80,000,000
Where to Watch
