Kandahar
2023
·
Movie
·
119 min
·
Thriller
·
Action-Adventure
83%
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2,236
LOVE
9%
LIKE
74%
MEH
14%
DISLIKE
3%
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Top Reviews
M liked
Kandahar
I was not expecting such a two hours long film set in the middle east to hold my attention so well, but it surprisingly did! I definitely wasn't ready for when roman died though 😭
1y
Jordan Griffith liked
Kandahar
I liked this movie as whole. It had a decent story with good action. I also really like Gerald butler and the other guys did great. Only thing I wish they did better was the night scene in the desert. I felt like I couldn’t see anything. Definitely worth a watch!!
1y
Recent Reviews
TribianiRamoray liked
Kandahar
Ric Roman Waugh's Kandahar throws viewers into the perilous landscape with a familiar but grounded spy action thriller narrative. Led by a stoic Gerard Butler, the film follows him and his translator on a desperate escape after their mission is compromised. While promising a tense and authentic experience based on actual events, the execution ultimately delivers a competent but somewhat conventional thriller that doesn't fully ignite.
Rating:
6.3/10 ⭐️
A moderate score indicating a watchable action thriller with decent performances and a straightforward plot, but lacking significant originality or lasting impact.
The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The premise provides a solid foundation for a tense escape narrative. The film maintains a generally steady pace, focusing on the immediate threats and challenges faced by the protagonists as they journey.
* Characters (Strengths): Gerard Butler delivers a reliably gruff and determined performance. Ali Fazal provides a compelling and nuanced portrayal adding a crucial layer of cultural understanding and emotional depth to the duo's dynamic.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Waugh's direction is competent, effectively staging the action sequences and capturing the rugged beauty and inherent danger of the landscape. The cinematography often provides a sense of scale and realism to their journey.
The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): While the premise is engaging, the plot often feels predictable and relies on familiar tropes of the genre. The narrative doesn't delve deeply into the political complexities of the region or the motivations of the various factions they encounter, remaining largely surface-level.
* Characters (Weaknesses): While Butler and Fazal are strong, many of the supporting characters, including the antagonists, feel somewhat underdeveloped and serve primarily as obstacles in the protagonists' path. Their motivations and backstories lack significant exploration.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): Despite the perilous setting and occasional action, the film can feel somewhat generic and lacks the sustained tension or unique flair to truly stand out in the crowded spy thriller genre. The emotional connection to the characters, beyond the central duo, is limited.
The Verdict:
Kandahar offers a serviceable and watchable spy action thriller carried by the solid performances of Gerard Butler and Ali Fazal. The premise provides a compelling backdrop, and the film delivers on its promise of action and tension. However, its reliance on familiar tropes and lack of significant originality or deeper exploration prevent it from leaving a lasting impression. It's a decent option for fans of the genre seeking straightforward entertainment, but it doesn't break any new ground.
Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film effectively handles the spy action thriller genre, maintaining a serious and tense tone throughout, with occasional moments of human connection.
* Target Audience: Kandahar will likely appeal to fans of Gerard Butler and those who enjoy grounded, albeit somewhat conventional, action thrillers set in politically charged environments.
* Originality & Innovation: The film doesn't offer significant originality or innovation within the spy action thriller genre, adhering to many familiar tropes and narrative beats.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The film touches on themes of survival, trust across cultural divides, and the complexities of operating in hostile foreign territories, but these are not explored with significant depth.
* Comparison to Other Films: Kandahar can be compared to other contemporary action thrillers, such as Lone Survivor or Seal Team Six, but lacks the visceral intensity or nuanced character development of some of the stronger entries in the genre.
48d

Carl Emil Pedersen disliked
Kandahar
Got to be the shittiest movie ive seen in a while. Plot is so bad, But the effects are the worst ive seen from a movie from 2023. The last chase scene is ass. The distance between is so inconsistent and the suv couldnt almost handle a jump but the big truck could? Just shit movie
164d