FORTRESS

US, 2021, 99 minutes, Colour.

Jesse Metcalfe, Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray, Kelly Greyson, Ser' Darius Blain, Shannen Doherty, Michael Sirow, Eric West.

Directed by James Cullen Bressack.

Audiences and critics complained about Bruce Willis making so many films in the latter part of his career, so many each year. This is one of them as is the sequel, Fortress, Sniper’s Eye.

The same complaints were made about this film but, for those who accept Bruce Willis, it is a reasonable action show with a bit more plot than usual. Willis, serious, sometimes ironic and sardonic, plays a former CIA operative who has become alienated from his son, Paul, Jesse Metcalfe, an expert in finance and IT. Willis lives undercover at a retirement Retreat which is also the location for a huge underground complex for the CIA.

The villain of the piece is Chad Michael Murray, not always convincing, arrogant and surly, wanting revenge on Bruce Willis who had infiltrated his company and betrayed him. And they are tracking his son so that they can get him to recover the lost millions. He has a squad of mercenaries at his disposal and they invade the Retreat, he invading the Fortress, a confrontation between father and son, the villain being outwitted, some moments of betrayal by a former ally, shootouts galore, final confrontation – and audiences ready for a sequel.

1. Bruce Willis action show – with Jesse Metcalfe as the star, Chad Michael Murray as the villain?
2. Bruce Willis and his many films a year at this stage, his screen persona, serious, touch of irony? And strong as a shooter?
3. The title, the CIA underground headquarters, technical equipment? The cover of the retreat for the elderly?
4. The introduction to Paul, getting the lift to see his father, family background, his father absent, devotion to his mother, his father absent for her death and funeral, resentments? His technical achievements, finance, IT…? Arrival at the Retreat, documents at the gate, Kate coming, her explanations, his father’s home, welcoming him in, the conversations?
5. Robert, his background, CIA, revealing it to Paul, infiltrating financial companies, working with Balzary, unmasking him? The continued quest to get him, issues of the multi million dollars?
6. The introduction to the squad, leadership, membership, one woman, the men, multiracial? Following Paul, to the Retreat, invading? Contact with Balzary, his commands, ruthless, his getting into the compound?
7. Robert and Paul, with Kate, the trek to the Fortress? Paul and his amazement? The staff, at their computers, the role of Dobbs, her past career, explanations to Paul, preparation for the attack?
8. Blain, gung ho attitudes, shooting, eliminating the invaders? Robert relying on him?
9. Balzary, the invasion of the fortress, Dobbs and her betrayal, motivations? Being passed over and relegated? The dealings with Balzary – and his eventually killing her?
10. Balzary, subduing Robert and Paul, Kate? The dealings with Paul, the computer, retrieving the money, the threats, Robert having given Paul a code, his inserting it, the 14 minutes wait for the transactions, Balzary letting Paul and Kate go free, Ulysses and his role with Balzary, their trekking through the grounds, hands tied, the water, Paul feigning being trapped, the two overcoming Ulysses? The returning?
11. Balzary confronting Robert, the money all disappearing, Robert and his attack, the siege in the fortress, the shootings, Blain and his skills, bowls escaping, confronted by Robert, the final discussion, death?
12. Reconciliation, Paul and Kate, love, and ready for the sequel?