Hidden Strike (2023)

Two elite soldiers must escort Hidden Strike civilians through a gauntlet of gunfire and explosions in this film starring Jackie Chan and John Cena.

Hidden Strike starts when Luo Feng (Chan) is leading a mission in Afghanistan to extract a large group of scientists to safety. He brings his team in and prepares for the dangerous escape down the Highway of Death. Elsewhere, American solder Chris Van Horne (Cena) is trying his best to keep a small village together, facing his own string of problems. As Luo starts his mission, the convoy heads down the deadly highway, coming up against the different challenges it offers. However, Chris has reluctantly taken an offer from his brother to extract someone from the bus, leading to a big plan and battle between the two specialist soldiers. However, Chris learns the real cost of his involvement and must put his differences aside to help Luo save his people. Hidden Strike is an action comedy following an American soldier and a Chinese soldier that must put their differences aside to take down a common enemy. It follows them as they find themselves in a battle for oil in Baghdad. However, not everything goes to plan in a battle turned personal. This is a big fun action movie, with some great set pieces. The opening bus extraction sequence has Mad Max vibes about it. However, the movie does struggle with the comedy side of things, we have seen Jackie Chan have excellent chemistry in the past. Only that was with pure comedic actors, John Cena challenges him on the action, meaning the comedy feels awkward more than anything. Luckily, the movie is saved by the quality of the action and lets both men have their chance to shine.