Kill Chain

(2019) Kill Chain ACTION THRILLER

Written and directed by Ken Sanzel has Araña (Nicolas Cage), an owner/ manager of run down hotel building with an open bar, when Renata (Anabelle Acosta) stepped in. Some violent shootings happened in which she looses her spouse as viewers learned she was given orders to stop by at that specific hotel. And it was then two pre-paid hitman of (Alimi Ballard) and (Pedro Calvo) coming along with them is a dangerous woman played by Angie Cepeda as we learn more about Araña's violent history and his involvement toward the characters. This is an unique set up in which viewers are oblivious of the Nicolas Cage character himself.

You can say a lot of things about Nicolas Cage and his recent output of movies, which put Steven Seagal to shame - and not in a good way. What you can't say is that he's phoning them in. Well not entirely and not convincing either most of the time. Still, like Seagal who'd say no to money offeered to shoot in beaufitul cities/countries, with some good looking (female) cast members? Maybe only the geographical aspect of it, convinces you, maybe just the money, maybe you like the company of women. Nothing wrong with either of those things in particular (consent would be one in the latter of course).

A few things wrong with the characters he portrays though. Then again, this has enough nudity and violence to keep you busy and not minding whatever this is about ... or not. Cage can play and is good when in movies that have a certain quality ... this is direct to video fodder. Nothing less and nothing more either

"Kill Chain" is a simple yet aptly named thriller that begins slowly and oddly, almost stumbling until the 4th or 5th scene when we can recognize the pattern of what's going on. The strongest section of the film is definitely the final 30 minutes that is taken over by Cage with force and some striking charisma.

At times the camera is a bit hard to follow and the supporting characters may be a tad weak, but nothing that really takes away from the enjoyment of this thriller. Even with the sprawling plot points between all of the characters, the story comes together even leaving it open to have a sequel.

Cage seems to be on a roll as of late coming out with Mandy, Mom & Dad, Color Out of Space and now this. I hope this trend continues and we see Cage return to his glory days even if he is super enjoyable as the macro-meme mascot of the internet.

8/10

This is another film that doesn't deserve the lowish rating it has.

The story is interesting and intricate enough to keep the viewer's attention, and the acting is superb with all of the cast giving believable performances.

Combine that with beautiful gritty visuals and it is one of the better thriller/action movies of recent times.

I knew when I started watching this film It was going to be a low budget B-movie. With that said I decided to give it a chance regardless. Upon conclusion I was so mixed on this film.

First of all this movie was all over the place. Alot different interchanging characters who you really couldn't care less what happens to them or not. The dialogue itself was very bizarre throughout and the movie diddn't have set pace. It'd go from draggy to engaging and then repeat this cycle.

However there were things I enjoyed. The action when it was happening was entertaining. Nicholas Cage was about the only actor I liked in this film and thought he did decent job with the source material he was provided.

Overall its definitely not a movie you'd watch ever again or tell friends about but it isn't the worst to watch either.