This is competent, which is okay. But "okay" isn't brilliant. The Smipes character is a tad like a Seagal character, that is, someone mildly contemptuous of those not as good as he is. For instance, when he was part of a group sent on a mission, one of the soldiers asked his name, and he refused to give it. Even if he didn't want to give his real name, he could have at least said something like, "You can call me Joe." The basic story is about some dire doings in Chechnia, and a secret request for cooperative, if covert, help by a crack US military team. As the film progresses, we see the various actions on the front lines, and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering by higher-ups on both sides.
As the story grinds on, we find out that "things are not as they seem," which is standard in many such films. What first seems like a simple plot by terrorists turns out to be something else.
Spoilers: In one sequence, we find out that some "hostages" are double agents. This is because a rouge element in a government is setting the real agenda. But given that, the double agents seem very trusting.
There are only a couple of twists in the film, but there are no real surprises. The film is almost formulaic.
It entertains, but that's all.
As the story grinds on, we find out that "things are not as they seem," which is standard in many such films. What first seems like a simple plot by terrorists turns out to be something else.
Spoilers: In one sequence, we find out that some "hostages" are double agents. This is because a rouge element in a government is setting the real agenda. But given that, the double agents seem very trusting.
There are only a couple of twists in the film, but there are no real surprises. The film is almost formulaic.
It entertains, but that's all.