Land of Bad throws viewers right into the action when a special forces team led by Sergeant “Sugar” Sweet (Milo Ventimiglia) is deployed on a dangerous rescue mission in the Philippines. We meet rookie Airman Kinney (Liam Hemsworth) just as he’s assigned to join these battle-hardened soldiers and provide vital drone support. But what should be routine quickly goes haywire, leaving Kinney stranded alone in hostile territory.
His lifeline becomes “Reaper” (Russell Crowe), a drone pilot back at base who guides Kinney through enemy crossfires. Yet while dodging bullets and explosives, Kinney discovers a grit and skill for survival he didn’t know he had.
Director William Eubank keeps the pace tight in this military thriller centered on the bond between a stranded soldier and his eyes in the sky. Backed by a cast including Luke Hemsworth and Ricky Whittle as elite specialists, Eubank delivers brisk action anchored by the contrast between jungle combat and drone controls. Things get explosive when the mission takes a dangerous new turn.
A Bond Forged Under Fire
At its core, Land of Bad is about the connection that forms between Kinney and Reaper as the action unfolds. We witness Kinney’s trial-by-fire as he’s forced to tap into courage and skills he didn’t realize he possessed. Meanwhile, Reaper mentors Kinney from the air-conditioned base, coordinating chaos between sips of coffee.
Early on, we get to know the tightknit special forces team Kinney’s assigned to, including leaders Sugar and Bishop who initially rib the newbie yet soon rely on his eyes in the sky. But it’s Liam Hemsworth’s Kinney who emerges as the film’s anchor, struggling admirably to survive against all odds after he’s separated and left alone.
Through Kinney’s headset, Russell Crowe’s Reaper becomes his rock – keeping panic at bay with wry humor and battle-tested advice. Their odd-couple chemistry provides needed levity between ambush scenes as both men race respective clocks.
While the plot careens through various hard-hitting set pieces, Eubank smartly keeps focus trained on this central duo. We witness Kinney finding his footing, morphing from overwhelmed rookie to tireless survivor. Meanwhile Reaper contends more with ringing phones than rockets, yet never loses sight of getting his new friend home alive.
Their bond, forged in moments of gravitas as well as humor, provides the film its soul. We come to root not just for Kinney’s deliverance, but for the two brothers-in-arms who’ve only met through a voice in the ear – each needing the other to make it through this trial.
Chaos Unleashed
Director William Eubank cut his teeth on sci-fi thrillers, and he brings a brisk energy and visual dynamism to Land of Bad’s combat scenes. We’re thrown into the fire early on, as the special forces raid kicks off an exhilarating shootout showcasing the team’s precision teamwork. Once Kinney finds himself alone and on the run, Eubank deftly mounts set piece after set piece showing off his leading man’s physicality.
Hemsworth impressively handles demanding action choreography amidst his character’s arch, sprinting through live ammunition and coordinating drone strikes for breathless escapes. Eubank peppers the frame with slo-mo explosions, though he wisely centering practical effects over CGI. Things turn brutal when the mission takes a darker turn, yet the director exercises restraint when depicting torture and interrogation scenes.
Beyond gun battles, Land of Bad derives tension from contrast – juxtaposing the grim violence Kinney endures with Reaper’s relative comfort directing things back at base. We get humorous interludes of Crowe grocery shopping and griping about vegan diets, reminding us of the divide between his reality and the nightmare unfolding overseas.
It’s a clever storytelling device that also allows Eubank to capture the dichotomy of modern tech-based warfare. The efficiency of drone strikes paints targets detached from human toll – until we witness the horrific consequences firsthand through Kinney’s eyes. The film grapples with this solemn contradiction while showcasing the coordinative might such weapons wield.
Drones and Duality
While not overtly preachy, Land of Bad does thoughtfully probe the paradoxes of modern tech-based warfare through Reaper and Kinney’s dynamic. Early questions arise over drones desensitizing conflict, allowing “armchair assassinations” from a continent away. Yet such clinical weapons require human guidance on the ground – embodied by Kinney’s gritty reality check.
Eubank seems cognizant of potential criticism regarding the depiction of the film’s vaguely defined extremist villains. Aside from the leader’s sneered Gitmo reference, the enemies remain caricatures – faceless evildoers for our American heroes to vanquish. Yet the director counters charges of propaganda by avoiding shallow patriotic speeches.
Rather, the special forces team’s heroism arises organically from their loyalty and duty towards one another in the face of unthinkable trials. And while Reaper coordinates calculated drone strikes through crosshairs, the tragic costs of such decisions become bloodily evident to him once investigate the wreckage firsthand.
This thoughtful dichotomy gives Land of Bad resonance beyond its exhilarating set pieces. Without moralizing, Eubank explores provocative questions through nerve-wracking action – chiefly regarding the strangers on opposing sides of a drone strike. In steering clear of politicized messaging, the film instead highlights the humanity within fraught combat zones overseas.
A Cast That Delivers
Land of Bad lives or dies on the strength of its main duo, and Liam Hemsworth continues his steady ascent as a compelling action lead. He handles the physical demands impressively while layering his role with authentic pathos. We believe Kinney’s fear and anguish early on, fitting for an unprepared rookie dropped into a nightmare. Which makes his subsequent displays of courage and grit all the more stirring.
But the film’s scene-stealer is Russell Crowe, clearly relishing his return to blockbuster fare. He lends wry humor and gravitas in equal measure as Reaper – juggling battlefield decisions alongside pressing domestic issues without missing a determined beat. Crowe and Hemsworth play effortlessly off each other, forging an unlikely rapport brimming with heart and humor.
The ensemble provides sturdy support as well, from Ricky Whittle’s stern sniper to Luke Hemsworth as a loyal teammate. Milo Ventimiglia brings trademark intensity to his senior officer role. And while the villains are thinly sketched, Robert Rabiah leaves a terrifying impression as the extremist leader behind enemy lines.
Yet Eubank smartly keeps focus locked on Kinney and Reaper’s central journey, maximizing the contrast between besieged soldier and air-conditioned pilot united by brotherly bonds. Backed by its committed cast and centered on a pair of compelling performances, Land of Bad delivers its exhilarating punches along with well-earned heart.
A Thrill Ride With Heart
Even factoring a few storytelling missteps in the climactic moments, Land of Bad succeeds as a brisk, propulsive military actioner centered on an engaging odd couple. Director William Eubank clearly knows his way around ambitious set pieces, visceral combat choreography, and powerful visuals. Through the film’s trials by fire, Liam Hemsworth confirms his ability to anchor a blockbuster as a soldier finding grit under duress.
Yet Russell Crowe hijacks every scene as the hilariously blustering drone pilot, forging heartfelt camaraderie with Hemsworth over the crosshairs. Their chemistry gives the film its beating soul amidst the avalanche of visceral stunt work. Fans of tough-guy ensemble thrillers need look no further for a dose of adrenaline and camaraderie.
For moviegoers less enthralled by combat choreography, Land of Bad potentially leaves something to be desired in the character department beyond its charismatic leads. Those shortcomings fade amidst the propulsive pacing, yet a tad more sharpness regarding the script and geopolitics would elevate the good-time spectacle.
In the end though, Land of Bad works just fine on its intended terms – as an electrifying war-zone rollercoaster doubling as a moving testament to the bonds forged under fire. It’s built to get pulses racing and leave action junkies thoroughly satisfied.
The Review
Land of Bad
At its best when spotlighting the rapport between its well-matched leads, Land of Bad is a propulsive military actioner centered on a compelling dynamic. Though the storytelling occasionally falters, strong performances and exhilarating set pieces make this a solidly entertaining special forces thriller.
PROS
- Strong central performance by Liam Hemsworth
- Russell Crowe steals scenes as wry drone pilot
- Tense action sequences and stunt work
- Explores thought-provoking themes around warfare
- Hemsworth and Crowe share appealing oddball chemistry
CONS
- Supporting characters could be more developed
- Storytelling falters a bit in final act
- Depiction of enemies is thinly-sketched
- Some plot aspects strain credibility
