Excerpt 1
Freelance, which is an American action-comedy film releasing in 2023, was directed by Pierre Morel who is popularly known for having directed action-packed films such as Taken and From Paris with Love. John Cena portrays the lead role of Mason Pettits, a Special Forces operative. The film is about how Mason encounters a dangerously unorthodox mission which poses life-threatening risks, forcing him back into the action which he tried to escape from. The film has a mix of political satire, buddy comedy, and jungle warfare and aims to deliver a light-hearted approach towards action-packed chaos.
Mason Pettits, an Army Special Forces soldier, is living a civilian life after being medically discharged following a botched mission that left him disillusioned. Now, he spends his days twiddling his thumbs in the law firm where he works as a mere desk-based functionary. The man who used to rely on the military for his daily dose of excitement is now trapped in the monotony of glorious mundane civillian existence. His strained marriage speaks to the enormous void he finds himself in and his former self feels like a long gone ghost that lingers in his memories.
He was approached out of the blue by his former colleague, Sebastian Earle, who had a wonderful offer for him – a private security job. His task would be to secure the journalist Claire Wellington who was a former television host and was trying hard to restore her career. Claire managed to get an exceptionally rare interview with the highly controversial President Juan Venegas whom everybody loves to hate, from a South American country, Paldonia. Mason somewhat reluctantly takes the job because he feels that it would help him support his family better and at the same time get out of his mundane office job.
On reaching Paldonia, both Claire and Mason are received by Venagas. Venagas is suave anda calculated man, who at a first glance looks like the classic overbearing strongman, but there is so much more to his rule. Then there is a sudden development during the interview and Claire’s military coup sets in. Claire, along with Mason, along with Venagas are forced to run into the jungle alongside armed rebels, shameless mercenaries, and formerly loyal government forces fighting for dominion over the presidency.
The plot follows a disorganized but wildly action-packed journey through a hidden land with betrayals, fiery ambushes, and friendship. A combat rookie Claire gets into mayhem with Mason, and she gets into a fighting partnership with him. Venegas, on the other hand, has more of a hidden internal moral struggle within than one would expect.
As the group uncovers a conspiracy involving Venegas’s nephew Jorge and a military contractor named Colonel Jan Koehorst. A light moment of understanding dawns on Mason, and changes blockhead to intellectual with his earlier assignment. Breakdowns were indeed a setup. He was given orders to get rid of one ‘‘enemy’’ — Claire was also part of that scheme. Getting rid of her meant exposing, turning him into an assassin slash ‘guard.’ Until reality made itself clearer, Mason needed her around.
Mason, Venegas, and Claire leap to reclaim the capital, fueling their determination with the idea of losing it forever. The showdown culminated in the dictator exercising his right to step down voluntarily and allow democratic elections. For Mason, it meant walking home likening him, pairing him with structured goals. Once in office, he was welcomed luxury funds from the president who stepped down. Claire, meanwhile, needed no questions asked about her new career-defining story to tell.
Cast & Characters
John Cena as Mason Pettits
As with other performances, Cena brings his signature blend of physicality and deadpan humor to Mason. A typical action hero at first glance, Mason is gruff, efficient, and dutiful. But the warmth Cena gives him makes his journey more personal and relatable.
Alison Brie as Claire Wellington
Brie shows Claire as smart and slightly cynical, but somewhat washed up, which her character provides much needed humanity and humor. Her chemistry with Cena drives the film’s comedic moments and, unlike other women in her position, Claire actively participates instead of passively waiting to be rescued, helping the group survive.
Juan Pablo Raba as President Juan Venegas
As a dictator who isn’t quite what he seems, Raba gives a surprisingly layered performance. Venegas is charismatic, cynical, and oddly likable, functioning as both comic relief and morally dubious, always subverting the audience’s expectations.
Christian Slater as Sebastian Earle
Mason’s former comrade is given chaotic energy by Slater. It is unclear what his character’s motives are, and his involvement in the unfolding conspiracy adds tension to the plot.
Marton Csokas as Colonel Jan Koehorst
With Csokas as Koehorst, The Freelance is a cold ruthless face of military profiteering and Koehorst serves as the primary antagonist under foreign interlopers.
Direction and Production
Pierre Morel serves as Freelance’s director, with his signature style of frenetic and meticulously orchestrated action sequences taking center stage. Morel, who is famed for igniting the Taken franchise, uses his prowess to stage shootouts and car chases in a way that is not only thrilling, but visually exhilarating. The jungle environment is properly employed as a ‘character’ in the film, turning into a suffocating and chaotic box of terrors that keeps both the audience and the characters on their toes.
Guerrilla warfare is captured and intertwined with the sheer beauty of the wilderness showing the cinematographic prowess. Furthermore, the use of natural lighting and practical effects instead of CGI increases the authenticity of the action scenes, such as the cinematography. The action-comedy identity is further reinforced by the score created by Elliot Leung and Geoff Zanelli that maintains, and at times, lightens up the tension.
Themes and Tone
Media ethics, the intricacy of international politics, and the personal cost of military service are some of the themes that Freelance focuses on in addition to being an action-comedy. Mason’s post-war disillusionment arc centers on the enduring challenge of reintegrating into civilian life after enduring years of perilous activities and relentless military structure. Claire, on the other hand, embodies the modern journalist struggling to find balance between integrity and sensationalism.
All in all, the film seems more concerned with entertainment than anything else. Buddy-comedy banter is the underlying humor in many of the scenes, and although some attempts at a low emotional linger are made, they don’t straddle long enough. This is not a heavy political thriller that one gets to give much thought to; it is rather a popcorn movie with bite-sized commentary and riddled with bullets.
Reception and IMDb Score
Critics seemed unimpressed by the movie and is reflected with its falling to the mediocre rating of 5.5/10 on IMDb. Viewers largely complimented the humorous interactions between the two main characters along with the well-choreagraphed action scenes, although a number found the humor to be lacking and the plot predictable. Unlike the warm reception, the movie did not capture audiences as it performed poorly in the box office, grossing less than $10 million worldwide against its budget of $40 million.
Even so, Freelance managed to find a small niche among audiences who enjoyed lighter action films and appreciated the film’s throwback style and formula. The film captures exploisons, shootouts, and a charismatic lead performance from John Cena, all expected from the movie, even if it isn’t groundbreaking.
Conclusion
As notes throughout the film, freelance is an uncapped, action packed ride across political banter and jungle adventures filled with comedic irony. It may be unoriginal, but the perfomances and the brisk pace keeps audience engagement high. Cena is remaking his name on the big screen with action-comedies, and this film mixes absurdism with military grit for a fun, albeit forgettable cinematic escape. Freelance is an ideal choice for audiences seeking Commando fused with a hint of modern satire. It isn’t game changing, but serves its purpose for a mindless watch.
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