Strong performances from Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Jamie Bell help elevate Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse above the predictable twists and turns of an all-too-familiar revenge story. Without Remorse also deserves credit for serving as a setup film for a video game adaptation.
While Jordan’s casting is crucial to the film’s success, the story adapted from Tom Clancy’s novel, could have used an update in its own right. There’s nothing unique about the utterly predictable story. The familiar plot leaves you waiting for the next action beat and luckily the film excels on that front.
Director Stefano Sollima‘s action chops from Sicario: Day of the Soldado is evident in Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse as is his interesting approach to dialogue. Although there’s one action sequence that’s simply too short. Solima has a great eye for quick, brutal action and Jordan easily sells the necessary physically of an elite Navy Seal.
With the exception of the best scene in the film, Kelly is either told the information he needs with very little effort or solves a problem without showing the steps he took to arrive at the solution. Without Remorse needs about 20 more minutes and better dialogue. If you’re going to try to tell a conspiracy-based spy or military story, like the Jason Bourne franchise, you need to show the main character putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
Like The Bourne Identity, Without Remorse feels like a good enough setup for a far superior sequel.
With the overview out of the way, lets dive deeper into Without Remorse. Please note there will be some minor spoilers. Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse is available on Amazon Prime.
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Michael B. Jordan is World Class in Without Remorse
The opening of the film shows John Kelly leading his Navy Seal team on a hostage rescue in Syria. Karen Greer played by Turner-Smith and CIA agent John Ritter (Bell) is part of the rescue mission. Smith’s a commanding screen presence and Bell makes for an effective sparring partner opposite Smith and Jordan.
The hostage-takers aren’t Syrian, they’re Russian military. John Kelly’s (Jordan) pregnant wife is murdered by a Russian operative. The scene at Kelly’s house is well shot but represents the ample amount of logic gaps in the film.
Kelly is shot a couple of times but is able to seriously injure one of the assailants. The operative struggles and is out of ammo, but is able to stand up. He unmistakable recognizes Kelly is alive. However, instead of finishing the job, he stumbles out of the house.
Greer meets with Ritter and Secretary Clay, played by Guy Pearce, to discuss the assassination of her team as well as the next steps. Clay and Ritter decide to bury the case, which doesn’t sit well with Greer. She presents the information to a recovering Kelly. The film doesn’t cover why the source is untouchable, but I assume he has diplomatic immunity.
Then in the best part of the film and without remorse, Kelly puts a plan together to acquire the information he needs from a source. Jordan certainly plays the character of John Kelly with intelligence and charisma. However, for the first time in the film, Kelly’s strategic ability as a character is on display. Everything about this sequence is fantastic and is enough of a reason for anyone to give Without Remorse a chance.
Never Ending Cold War
However, from this point forth the film begins to get progressively worse. Outside of a couple of competently handled action scenes featuring terrific physicality by Jordan, the story is bland and the dialogue features every cliche imaginable. There’s nothing original about the plot.
Some third party conspired to kill Kelly’s team and dispose of the Russian operatives at the same location for duplicitous purposes. The person behind the murder of Kelly’s wife and his team is clear from the moment the character shows up. Jordan, Turner-Smith and Bell deserved a stronger story to anchor their committed performances.
The final 10 minutes of the film will likely give you whiplash. Unlike in the best sequence referenced earlier, Without Remorse doesn’t bother to show Kelly putting the pieces together. He leaves one place and just shows up to confront the suspect. Even though as an audience member, I knew who the villain was, there was no such suspicion from Kelly or Greer. Without Remorse commits a major sin of allowing the audience to be ahead of the characters the entire time. An extra 10 minutes showing Kelly gathering evidence, while undercover stateside could have made a big difference.
There is a post credit scene in Without Remorse. It’s a great tease for sequel that also happens to be a highly profitable video game franchise from Ubisoft.
Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse Final Thoughts
Jordan’s acting and physical performance is the reason to see Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse. He does the best he could with this script. Depending on how successful his directorial debut is with Creed 3, Jordan could be an interesting choice to direct the sequel. Let the franchise be under his and Outlier Society’s (Michael B. Jordan‘s production company) control.
Here’s hoping Jordan, Smith and company are given a better story in the next installment.
The Review
Tom Clancy's Without Remorse
PROS
- Michael B. Jordan is fantastic. His action scenes are vicious. When the film decides to slow down and show John Kelly's intelligence, Jordan exudes confidence and strategic thinking that belongs in a better movie.
- Jodie Turner-Smith is every bit Jordan's equal, but her character suffers.
- The action is quick, brutal and well shot.
- Interesting post credit scene.
CONS
- Bland, predictable and largely illogical storytelling.
- Awful dialogue.
- Haphazard ending.
