Scott Adkins is ludicrously respected in the action genre, and for good reason. With his impressive skills in martial arts, he single handedly brought the fighting to the screen in One Shot (2021) directed by James Nunn. Scott Adkins returns in One More Shot (2024). In the upcoming sequel to One Shot, the stories of Navy SEAL Jake Harris continue and through the title alone, one can surmise that this time the action will surpass the initial film, offering quicker pacing and even tighter settings.
Unlike regular action flicks, One More Shot focuses on a visual aesthetic. In a remarkable feat of film making, the film rides on the illusion of being shot in a single uninterrupted take. This adds an extra layer of immersion and intensity, something that is very rare. The narrative deepens even more when we delve behind the film’s technical gimmick, emerging as an intense low-level action-thriller packed with violence, betrayal, and in shallow loyalty combined with a poignant story about the price of power.
Putting The Pieces Back Together
In the film that follows One Shot, Jake Harris is still recovering from the effects of the black site attack in Poland. His current assignment is to accompany terrorist suspect Amin Mansur on a flight to Washington, D.C. for further interrogation. However, what should have been a routine military transfer turns deadly when their airplane is redirected to a civilian airport and under civilian control.
Their transport gets ambushed by a squad of highly trained mercenaries, who take over the airport’s control and secure the area first. Their goal?” To capture Mansur alive Mosques. Mansur is no mere terrorists; he an incredibly sophisticated and powerful person who is part of an even more sophisticated plot.
Dynamic and In Motion Hero
Scott Adkins yet again portrays Harris with precise, and gritty detail, something he is well-known for. In One More Shot, Harris becomes more than a soldier, he becomes a deeply politically entrapped man who has to survive using wit, skill, and a great deal of determination.
A mix of powerful energy and determined calmness is observable in Adkin’s performance. Whether engaged in hand to hand combat or navigating sniper infested tight corridors or making life altering decisions at a moment’s notice, he moves with a commanding existential intensity. Aside from tactical movement and gunplay, the film is skillfully centered around his martial arts abilities and makes the most of it.
A Cameo with Wicked Intensions
All great action films have an antagonist with an equally captivating persona and One More Shot does not disappoint with bringing Alexis Knapp’s version of Jennifer Lomax, a rogue Homeland Security Agent with equally outlandish objectives. While she first seemed to play the part of friendly ally to Lomax, she is later unveiled as the masterful plot orchestrator behind the airport siege. What was her end goal? Utilize the entered chaos to obtain biometric data from far too many American defense bigwigs and take control over the domestic stragetic defense.
With both hands, Knapp captures Lomax’s character and pours in wickedly chilling menace that is worlds apart from Harris’s physicalicality. Her goals stem from revenge and ideological factors which makes her manipulation incredibly psychologically laced with the incessant action fueled nature of the film.
Supporting Cast and Emotional Stakes
The film depicts Niesha, Mansur’s wife, who is a doctor and is played by Meena Rayann. She tries her best to help in the middle of the disorder. Her character brings tragedy to the story, especially dealing with two people that were trapped between powerful forces. These moments coupled together underscore the humanity of the conflict while simultaneously highlighting the fallout in a war torn politicized environment.
In his film debut, the always engaging Tom Berenger plays Mike Marshall. He is a powerful debtor whose support appears to shift throughout the story. His character is suspicious since there are accusations of any of the operatives being a mole and it deepens the conjecture and adds some inter-character drama.
Action as Art
One More Shot is skillfully made with an impressive, one take illusion feature. That best captures the essence of the film. In recovering such illusion, cinematographer Job Reineke and editor Liviu Jipescu literally NEVER stop moving the camera which creates an art-like visual composition. This grants the movie such artistic, urgent, and immersive effect.
The choreography of action is very compact and stunning. There are blazes of gunfire, surprises, and hand grenade combat that are executed within the pass of time. One of the most impressive scenes is when Harris and Mansur wade their way through a horde of mercenaries in the service tunnels and baggage sections of the airport. It exemplifies tension and awareness of space.
While the movie does not have much to work with in terms of setting, there is no sense of monotony while watching it. All parts of the airport are utilized efficiently and the pacing makes sure that the energy always stays high.
Motives Underneath the Violence
It is evident that ‘One More Shot’ is an action thriller first and foremost, yet it also touches upon the concepts of trust, sacrifice, and bladed patriotism. Lomax’s treachery goes beyond personal boundaries and ventures deeper into political domains. Her intention to masquerade as a terrorist and stage an attack on the nations defense systems invites debate around national surveillance, control, and security.
On the other hand, Harris personifies the soldier who is trapped on the other side of loyalty – to his nation, and yet deeply frustrated by the rot within. What he undergoes is not merely a physical journey, but a moral one, as he comes to terms with the impact of his directives and their consequences on human lives.
The Overall Rating
‘One More Shot’ is an action filled masterpiece gripping the audience from the start to the end. Yet, it also invites the viewer to self reflection and understanding. That is the beauty of the film, it doesn’t require a lower standard of intelligence from its viewers, and for that, it has my admiration.
Combining gripping action with deep emotional complexity, One More Shot exemplifies why Scott Adkins is considered one of the most dependable actors in the genre, featuring stellar performances, unique cinematography, and a dramatic plot. This film does not disappoint and repeatedly delivers on its promise for a high intensity, thrilling ride with some heart-pounding spy action on the side.
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