ONE SHOT

UK/US, 2021, 89 minutes, Colour.

Scott Adkins, Ashley Greene-Khoury, Ryan Philippe, Emmanuelle Imani, Jack Par, Danny Dietler.

Directed by James Nunn.

It is probably sufficient to say that this is an action show starring British martial arts expert, Scott Adkins. His appeared in quite a number of films – especially in the vein of Jean-Claude van Damme, Steven Seagal…

And, it is probably important to say that this is one of his better films, which could have an appeal to action film to devotees beyond his regular fans.

The action is straightforward, the setting on the island where terrorist prisoners are kept (and sometimes graphically tortured). Some American agency officials turn up to interview a particular terrorist because of a bomb threat in the US. In the meantime, a group of mercenaries also turn up, take charge on the island, a brutal in their manner, but find that they have a substantial opponent in one of the official security guards with the American delegation. And he is Scott Adkins.

So, quite a battle of wits at times. And, quite a number of physical encounters. And, a rather pessimistic conclusion to the procedures.

1. The popularity of the action films of Scott Adkins? Praise for this one?
2. The island, the offices, the prison areas, torture? The grounds, the buildings, locations for action? The musical score?
3. The situation, the arrival of Zoe Anderson, her commission, to get the prisoner, to return him to DC, his information about a potential bomb? Her escort, leadership of Jack Harris? The other members?
4. The authorities on the island, Jack York, is tough attitudes, harsh, the kind of torture permitted? Brandon Whitaker, two IC, his attitudes? The visit to the prisoner, the visuals of the torture, Zoe asking him to be released, the clash of attitudes?
5. The prisoner, his situation, his explanation, his company, the visit of the email, the death of his son, the pressures on him, threat of the death of his wife? His keeping quiet, eventually telling some of the truth?
6. The mercenaries arriving, the leadership, the large group, the attack? The siege, the various fights? Jake Harris and his leadership, his skill as a shooter, Sniper? Negotiations, support of Zoe, clashes with Jack York? The loss of communications? Eventual connection, the promise of helicopters? The time lapse?
7. The range of fighting, Jake Harris out in the field, killing so many of the enemy, shooting, knife? The other members of his troupe, wounds, deaths?
8. The leader of the mercenaries, background, aims, connection with terrorist groups, to get the prisoner? The tactics, shooting, the suicide bomber, the words of persuasion, his beliefs, brainwashed, his fears, going in, the attack, the explosives, the attackers and the tables with shielding, shots? The explosion? So injured, her dying? Jack York, injuries, confrontation with the prisoner, harsh attitudes? Orders? Whitfield killed?
9. Jake Harris, not by the explosion, try to persuade the prisoner, his escaping out of the building, his disguise, taken by the mercenaries, interrogated, the attack by York, persuaded by Harris?
10. The final fight, the leader, with Harris? Victory? The arrival of the helicopters?