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Ever reaffirming that indie action cinema should be marveled at as casts and crew religiously shape something out of virtually nothing, Saban Films has unleashed the latest assassin action-thriller Exit Protocol among the masses for weekend consumption and those looking to satisfy their action fix. It’s no secret that action heavyweights Michael Jai White and Dolph Lundgren are the enticing aspects of the film to sway fans to watch, I’m here to say that while the two action icons do get to see their fair share of physical altercations during the film’s running time, it’s headliner Scott Martin who really steals the show as Sam Hayden the killer of killers who finds himself in over his head when he breaks his own codes.
Exit Protocol hails from filmmaker Shane Dax Taylor who is best known for directing The Best Man which also featured Lundgren and Martin who was the antagonist in that one. Taylor really has a love for adrenaline laced films and here he dives right in and with prolific writer Chad Law serving up the story for this one, fans can rest assured that they will get their fix.
As stated above, Exit Protocol stars Martin as Sam Hayden who is an elite assassin who takes out other assassins when they want to get out of the business. One should know that you shouldn’t choose this for a profession because it usually doesn’t end well if you want to lead somewhat of a normal life. Hayden’s latest mark is the best of the best in Charles Managold (Lundgren) who has disappeared after choosing to not carry out his last assignment. This, as you would think, does not sit well with his employers so they unleash Hayden on him to take him out.
As the story develops, we learn that the reason that Manigold didn’t execute his target is because he fell in love with his mark. Played by Charlotte Kirk (The Lair, Dutchess), Danique Kellar is the object of Managold’s affections, and it also happens that she is pregnant as well. When Hayden does confront Managold, he realizes why his target is the best as Manigold gets the drop on him but when he does, he chooses not to kill him. This sets a path of action into play where Hayden eventually will have to assemble an uneasy truce with Manigold when other assassins are unleashed to finish the job.
With the two tier one assassins teaming up, they must now take on the very lethal Isaac (White) and his ally Wicked (Stepanie Beran) who is a femme fatale to say the very least. It doesn’t help that Wicked has some very hot and heavy history with Hayden which makes her even more unpredictable when the bullets start flying. Thus, the stage is set for a climactic battle of assassins where the bullets and fists fly while alliances alternate at the drop of a hat.
Now there have been an overabundance of assassin themed films to hit theaters and streaming services over the last decade and with Exit Protocol, fans can expect a film that caters to those who love this subgenre but at the same time delivers something a little off the beat and path when you stack it up against other films in the same vein. Yes, this is an indie picture with limited resources and means but if you put all of the negative thinking aside that comes with that terminology, this is a pretty solid little action pic that gives what viewers will want while at the same time doing things differently.
This coincides with the fact that veteran writer and producer Chad Law is responsible for the script, and he has seen a career that has given us countless action films with substance and flair. Law crafts a story that sees alliances changing faster than you can blink and the characters are not your usual standard fair, and many arcs change during the procession of the plot. there is also a lot of clever dialogue to be had between our anti-heroes and assailants and things do not go as planned leading to some surprises in the narrative.
Like I stated earlier, Scott Martin is the real star here and the actor/filmmaker shines as elite killer Sam Hayden. On the surface, he looks like the next-door neighbor who would be cutting his lawn but delve deeper and in reality, he’s a stone-cold killer with a sick skill set that has earned him is moniker of killer of killers. Martin gets most of the heavy lifting and he excels in the film’s numerous action sequences which sees him capping off with a variety of firepower including on rad looking crossbow. There is also a final fight that is brutal, stripped down and expertly choreographed with visceral flair between Martin and Christian Cardona who plays a rival killer named Bashkim. Turns out in real life, Martin trains with Cardona, and this lends to the fight being authentic and satisfyingly brutal. Martin. with this film, is definitely an action star in the making and should be given ample opportunity in the future to flex those action muscles.
Lundgren is at his usual best as well and as Managold, he still has it when it comes to unleashing the finest in action. The man is simply put, a living legend of action cinema. Lundgren also plays his role with some sensitivity and levity that switches things up from his normal onscreen personas. There is one quiet moment between Managold and Hayden where the former opens up and shows off his vulnerability that is well acted and a non-action highlight of the movie.
As Isaac, Michael Jai White is in more of an extended cameo here, but he does get the required amount of screen time to make his usual impact of unrivaled bravado on the film and bring his ever-iconic charm and swagger to the role. White, unfortunately, doesn’t get any chances to showcase his empty-handed combat skills that he is best known for, but he still gets in on the action and the continuous firefights that encompasses these types of films. White also gets to stretch his dramatic side and has some great scenes and salty dialogue with Martin and Lundgren as well that is a real treat. White is such a dominating presence on screen and has absolutely nothing to prove that it really doesn’t matter what he’s doing but just as long as he’s involved. By the way, White’s full name in the film is Isaac Florentine which I’m pretty sure is no coincidence and a homage to one of the greatest indie action filmmakers ever.
The women’s side is well represented, and we have Charlotte Kirk who is no stranger to playing a bad ass onscreen having appeared in The Lair and Dutchess which were both directed by genre favorite Neil Marshall. While she got really down and dirty in those films, here her role is strictly dramatic but that’s more than OK as it is her character of Danique that ties the whole story together. She gets to have the most scenes with Lundgren and she stands her ground just fine and radiates the desired amount of sensibility and sensitivity needed to counteract all the testosterone that’s well displayed here.
Lina Maya excels as a love interest to Hayden and her in involvement doesn’t play out like one would think it would. I won’t spoil it but Maya’s turn as Nona offers up probably the most unexpected twist to the proceedings and flips the narrative on its head.
Last but not least in any way shape of form, we have Stephanie Beran who plays the wild and unpredictable assassin Wicked. Married to Martin in real life, Beran has great chemistry of course and gets to have some really juicy scene stealing dialogue with her significant other that elevates the story. As Wicked, Beran goes all in, and she gets to hold her own when the action hits and even gets to do her best John Woo impression as she blasts away with double guns when it comes time to go tactical.
The action in Exit Protocol is pretty unrelenting and there are several sequences of impactful firefights that are more than suitable for the genre and while there aren’t any massive set pieces, the adrenaline is still present. Taylor is really becoming a go to director for indie action and here the action is shot clean and recognizable with some nifty practical stunt work that really shows off a little 80’s retro vibe. There’s also a few beatdowns and gnarly kills culminating in the climax where Sam really shows why he’s one of the best in the biz.
Overall, there’s no mystery as to what you’re going to get when it comes to most independent action. If you’re not a fan of this type of genre, then this film won’t sell you anymore but for those that really appreciate what can be done on a limited budget with a very short production schedule, 12 days to be exact, then Exit Protocol really satisfies with some high caliber action and a pair of action’s finest giving fans what they want while we watch a new breed of action star arise. The characters are insanely enjoyable, and the plot certainly doesn’t play it safe as there are multiple switches to the narrative. There are enough bruising thrills to be had and with a running time of 85 minutes, it moves at a lightning pace, and I can honestly say that it is all killer and no filler.
VERDICT: 3.5 Out of 5 Stars
Exit Protocol gives fans that much needed shot of indie adrenaline while switching up the assassin trope for something a little different!
Exit Protocol is Now Available in Select Theaters, Digital and On Demand
