0
0
From roles in mainstream flicks like THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, and BLACKHAWK DOWN to indie fair like Daylight’s End, Johnny Strong is an enigma when it comes to understanding the artist and the man. Having left Hollywood behind years ago to focus on indie cinema and utilizing more creative control in his projects, Strong is an avid believer of quality over quantity having only starred in a handful of movies over the last two decades. In such fan favorite films such as SINNERS AND SAINTSand DAYLIGHT’S END, Strong has been a part of all the facets of production including the scripts and utilizing realistic martial arts choreography and firearms and tactical knowledge to make his action films as authentic as possible and the reel deal. While also being a musician and songwriter, releasing several albums with his band Operator, Strong has also scored the movies as well delivering a hard-edged sound that compliments the action on screen. Teaming up with fellow indie director William Kaufman on the aforementioned movies, Strong has been able to showcase his true vision onscreen without interference from big name studios. These action films have the retro vibe of the glorious days of VHS action, and I’ve said many times in the past that Strong is the take no shit type of action star that the genre so desperately needs.
Strong has arrived once again with his directorial debut, the military actioner Warhorse One which he co-directed and wrote with longtime collaborator William Kaufman and the movie takes its cues from Strong’s previous work on the real life action-drama BLACKHAWK DOWN as well as LONE SURVIVOR and the two have crafted a harrowing tale of a lone Navy SEAL who must overcome the odds as he is outgunned and out manned to complete his rescue mission and save a little girl by running a gauntlet of insurgents as well as the harsh Afghanistan terrain. Filled with unflinching drama and harrowing military action set pieces, Warhorse One continues the excellence in action cinema output for 2023.
With all the hoopla of recent action fare like John Wick Chapter 4 and Extraction 2, Warhorse One arrives under the radar and even though it is a more stripped down affair that forgoes the bombastic style set pieces of the aforementioned films, this military action-thriller still delivers the adrenaline and bravado that one expects from these types of films. Strong knows what he wants and how to convey it to the audience and fans will get their fair shot of bullets and explosions especially in the movie’s finale that showcases just how special these types of war fighters truly are.
The plot is simple and to the point and that’s the way it should be. The 2021 American pullout of Afghanistan is in full effect and a group of stranded U.S. citizens are trapped behind enemy lines. Strong stars as Master Chief Mirko, who becomes the last hope of mission success when his chopper is shot down killing all of his team. By a miracle, Mirko is jettisoned from the craft just before it crashes and so our story unfolds as the lone survivor dusts himself off. There’s no quit in these men and Mirko is no exception as he knows he’s all alone but still proceeds to finish the job.
Unfortunately, the American party the SEAL Team was to rescue are all dead except for a little girl named Zoe, played to Oscar caliber perfection from little newcomer Athena Durner. With Zoe in tow, Mirko begins to battle the harsh and unforgiving terrain as well as an army of insurgents who are hell bent in taking out the SEAL and his companion.
I’ve followed WarHorse One since it’s inception and it’s great to finally see Strong back on screen doing what he does best. This is a passion project for the artist and besides co-directing with Kaufman, Strong also co-wrote the script and created the musical score. Strong is an expert in tactical warfare and weaponry and it always comes across flawlessly on screen. Throw in CQB choreographed encounters throughout and this action pic is a combo of heart, sentiment and heroism.
At the center of the story is Mirko’s relationship with Zoe and the two have wonderful chemistry together as the little girl is the polar opposite of her savior. Zoe is still innocent and young while Mirko has seen it all and done things that he’s not exactly proud of to get the job done but the two need each other to survive and Strong makes sure that the audience feels the connection between them.
The movie doesn’t stop to take a break as Mirko battles the treacherous landscape which includes a death defying stunt where Strong actually jumped off a cliff into the raging waters below. It’s a sweat inducing sequence that is coupled with the fact that it’s actually Strong who defied death to capture it on film. There’s several scenes like this and it’s a wonder that Strong is still here as he literally sacrifices his body for his art.
Make no mistake, there’s plenty of firefights to be had and Strong once again proves that he’s the best around when it comes to authenticity in weapons handling. Like I said, the sequences never go over overboard like John Wick and Extraction but that’s it’s strength as the low scale skirmishes are just as exciting as anything that has come before this year. Mirko becomes a one man army as he uses every weapon and skill to his advantage and being that it’s just him fighting off the insurgents throughout much of the movie’s running time makes it even more harrowing and nail biting.
The finale is as advertised and it makes the most of it with Mirko making his final stand against a swarm of enemy combatants. The choreography and camerawork are flawless and you can almost feel every gunshot and explosion that erupts on the screen. It’s an ending that you’ll want to watch over again and I love how it displays the special qualities of special forces soldiers as Mirko is the embodiment of all these real life heroes.
Overall, Warhorse One has a limited theatrical run last week but it’s a shame that it didn’t get a wider release as it’s just as high/octane as the big budget studio affairs. It’s a more gritty, personal and stripped down actioner that doesn’t go the flamboyant route. Johnny Strong proves once again that he’s an ace in the action department and now that he’s behind the camera as well, there’s no limit to what he can accomplish in the genre.
Athena Durner has literally come out of nowhere and she has a strong future in this business as she’s a natural. Durner delivers a performance her first time around that is Oscar worthy and it’s her involvement that makes you care even more.
The action is realistic, dark and brutal with sound effects and visuals that’ll immerse you into the action. It’s a literal harrowing experience that’ll engulf you and grip you until the final credits roll. 2023 has been a big comeback year for action and Warhorse One is a bullet riddled welcome addition that combines heart, heroics and vivid set pieces that’ll make you think after it’s over.
VERDICT: 4.5 Out Of 5 Stars
ACTION-FLIX APPROVED AND ESSENTIAL
Warhorse One is a Harrowing Tale of Heroics, Heart and Adrenaline that’ll Immerse the Audience into its World.
Warhorse One is now playing in select theaters and on Digital and VOD from Well Go USA!
Check out my exclusive interview with Co-Director and Star Johnny Strong on The Action Fix Podcast!
