Hidden Strike (2023) | Film Review

Buddy action-comedies are sadly becoming a remnant of days gone by. The concept of two opposites attracting decadent violence while slinging verbal retorts is a thing of magic, most of which has vastly disappeared in the modern age of superheroes and Barbies. Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout, and of course Rush Hour. So, who else to make an attempt to revive the genre with Hidden Strike than Jackie Chan himself?

Chris (John Cena) is a mercenary with a heart of gold, he even entertains children during his time away from crime. His brother ropes Chris into an endeavor with the mustache-twirling Paddock (Pilou Asbæk) revolving around a bus entourage along Baghdad’s “Highway of Death”; a heist, oil, droughts, and a MacGuffin that will change the world for better or worse, depending on who has it.

Dragon Luo (Jackie Chan) is leading the entourage when they are attacked, and decides it is in his best interest to team up with Chris to stop Paddock and the MacGuffin, while also protecting his daughter, Mei (an absolutely charming Chunrui Ma). Sparks and explosions fly, fists are thrown, barbs are tossed, etc.

These films are all based around chemistry, which Jackie Chan and John Cena certainly have. Chan is a master at both stunts and balancing comedy with them, while Cena has a deft hand at both as well. Both actors’ hone in on their areas of specialty as well as they can, complimenting each punch or kick with wry comedic timing. As a duo, this team surprisingly works.

What doesn’t work is the generic script which affords neither actor the depth necessary to create a memorable film nor dynamic pairing. The actors are game, the words and scenarios are not, and that definitely caps the limit on potential for where Hidden Strike can go.

As far as the overall assembly is concerned, director Scott Waugh has a few strengths – putting aside the numerous poorly designed visual effects which makes us all question if the sand itself is even real – and offers up a handful of noteworthy set pieces. Despite these moments of adrenaline, the flow, pacing, and innocuous script hold the film back from ever achieving greatness.

Hidden Strike offers up a surprisingly intriguing team-up in the buddy action-comedy genre, which Jackie Chan and John Cena seem equally up to the task for. Unfortunately, a lackadaisical script and uneven production hinders the film from standing out from the pack, instead leaving us all with a rather mundane sensation of missed opportunities.