Movie Review - Without Remorse

Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse *** (out of 5) (R) Our hero (Michael B. Jordan) is a Navy SEAL whose team is betrayed on its opening rescue mission, costing one life under much heavier fire than the CIA led them to expect. At home three months later, two members of his unit are murdered; then the attempt at getting him leads to losing his pregnant wife. Who’s behind all of this? What are the hidden agendas? Can Jordan get the answers and avenge these losses?

No matter how many times one sees action movies with this premise, whether in contemporary spy and crime fare; vintage Asian martial arts, or Spaghetti (and domestic) Westerns, viewers can generally find satisfying entertainment, and even catharsis, if the characters are strong and the action is sufficiently visceral. In many cases, as is true here, the other piece is for the plot to be arcane enough to be unsure just who the villains actually are. All three boxes are adequately checked in a brisk production, that’s just confusing enough for the right amount of suspense.

So there’s nothing new to be found in this one. It’s just a solid entry into the genre, like dozens of others, that can be perfect for anyone craving this sort of cinematic snack. With all the problems and upheavals of the past few years, this is a timely bit of escapism that may nourish the frustrated spirit. (4/30/21)