Aaron Eckhart & Abigail Breslin have zero chemistry in spectacular flat thriller

classified Star Aaron Eckhart as lone wolf spy Evan Shaw, About whom we learn next to nothing over the hour and 45 minutes of this disappointing new thriller. He is joined by former child star Abigail Breslin, who plays his long-lost daughter turned MI6 analyst, Cassie. Written by Roel Reiné and directed by Bob DeRosa, Classified Won’t be remembered as one of the best spy movies of the 2020s and will likely fly under the radar for most audiences. Although competently shot, the story and performances leave much to be desired.

The memorial of the film revolves around Evans’ discovery that he did not kill people for the CIA, as he believed, but an independent company that uses him for financial gain. It’s even worse because Evan believes himself to be close to Kevin (Tim Roth), his boss. Unfortunately, it takes an unusually long time for the movie to finally get to the inciting incident. Once he and Cassie were finally on the same page, The movie develops into an extended chase scene. If classified Intended to provide commentary on the ethics and implications of espionage, it slips through the cracks.

Classifieds spend their budget in all the wrong places

Classifieds prioritize style over substance

Filmed on location in Malta and incorporating many interesting practical sets and effects, Classified Should look better than it does. It’s always exciting when a thriller incorporates international locations and sprawling set pieces, but it makes me wonder why that’s where the budget went. classified spends all his money and runtime on the spectacle of the piece, Leaving the characters and story out in the cold. There is the beginning of a good idea hidden in the script, but it is scattered on heavy-handed attempts to make the plot twists land better than they do.

That doesn’t help Breslin and Eckhart perform each scene as if they were just introduced. They deliver their dialogue as if they had skimmed the script just moments ago. Surprisingly, Eckhart and Breslin worked together many years ago on the 2007 rom-com No reservationsAlthough the chemistry did not last. So far, Eckhart’s career transition into the action genre has been a far cry from his early work in projects like The Dark Knight Or Erin Brockovich. However, there is no question that he holds his own in the action and stunt scenes.

Classified uses the tired genre trope of Evan haunted by his past lover, Monica (Marysia S. Peres), whom he eventually abandons to focus on his career with the CIA. It’s a narrative tool that’s overused and never effective, relegating the role of women in the film to one of ancillary or no importance. Their story is Another piece of exposition that somehow tells us too much without saying anything, Failing to provide effective context. Evan, Cassie, and Kevin are the only characters with desires and motivations, and even those are fuzzy.

Both Evan and Cassie are underwritten characters, but Cassie gets the chance to show a little personality and has a decent emotional moment near the film’s climax. However, Evan is so ice-cold and disinterested that he comes across as downright apathetic instead of committed to the job. Moreover, the fact that he blithely accepted missions and never thought about his actions does nothing to build sympathy for him. He seems almost unaffected by the revelations that he was played by his boss and has no idea about the existence of his daughter.

Independent action movies are important, but classified doesn’t help their case

Classified’s underwhelming execution should not hinder the future of independent thrillers

It’s frustrating when a low to mid budget action film like Classified misses the mark, as it makes it more difficult for other similarly funded projects to get off the ground. of course, It is not fair to compare Classified To a blockbuster franchise like Mission: Impossible or these Bourne Movies. However, by trying and failing to emulate the projects with which it ultimately cannot compete, it squanders what potential there is for success. Scaling back the scope of the project may have helped Classified Slow down and divide the structure of the story.

In its niche of the genre, there are much better and more compelling movies to watch than classified. It’s not expected or necessary for an action thriller to be overly emotional or provide an intricately complex character arc, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be any emotional beats or development. classified Doesn’t have any groundbreaking action choreography or flashy action sequences to make up for the fact that there’s nothing beneath the surface, and the surface isn’t even that attractive.

Classified is now available to buy or rent digitally. The film is 105 minutes long and rated R for violence and language.