Hidden Strike (2023)

★★☆☆☆

A Geopolitical Carousel

Hidden Strike (2023), an action-packed spectacle, offers a unique fusion of geopolitical commentary, corporate critique, and East meets West buddy comedy. Although punctuated with gravity-defying stunts and momentous, if predictable, conflicts, the film's core narrative becomes a hotbed of arguments and symbolisms.

For the most part, the film attempts to humanize the dynamics between two superpowers—the United States and China. Jackie Chan and John Cena's characters find themselves as unlikely allies, arguably a rhetoric device employed to soften the realities of political tension, transforming them into caricatures of international cooperation. This could be seen as a sly attempt to nudge viewers into viewing geopolitics with a more human, less threatening lens.

However, the reliance on oil as the film's linchpin may strike some viewers as outdated and out of touch with the pressing environmental concerns of today. A modern audience, attuned to global issues such as climate change and energy sustainability, might find the oil-driven plot lacking the desired gravity. Perhaps a more potent exigency or even a comedic pivot could have made the narrative resonate better with today's socio-political landscape.

The presentation of Chris Van Horne (Cena) as a hero-teacher to the Iraqi locals, moreover, stirs uneasy echoes of the United States' real-life invasion of Iraq, imbued with a similar self-imposed mentorship role. Such a portrayal—though likely aiming for a favorable representation of American ideals—risks oversimplifying complex socio-political histories, potentially glossing over the harsh realities of military occupation and cultural imposition.

From a cinematic perspective, Hidden Strike struggles with a significant technical hurdle. The heavy reliance on CGI, especially in wide shots, falls short of the immersive visual experience one might expect from a high-budget action film. The obvious green-screen effects create a jarring disruption, removing viewers from the intended immersion, akin to a magic trick revealed.

In the grand Jungian theater of archetypes, Chan and Cena embody elements of the Hero, Warrior, and Trickster figures. Their characters undergo individuation, evolving from defined roles (private security contractor, former US Marine) to harmonized partners navigating the shadowy world of international corporate malfeasance. Yet, the effectiveness of this symbolic journey is somewhat undermined by the film's inability to balance its serious undertones with its larger-than-life action sequences.

To touch on mortality, Hidden Strike seems to gloss over this aspect, focusing on the thrill of conflict rather than the finite nature of human life. The potential for a deeper exploration of consciousness and self-awareness also remains largely untapped. Emotionally, the film tends to stay in safe territory, with clear-cut motivations driving the characters' actions. Struggles are largely physical, with the emotional and existential suffering lacking depth or impact.

As far as the social nature and the concept of morality and ethics are concerned, Hidden Strike does seem to shine in a few spots. The film showcases a mix of individualism and teamwork, reflecting the inherent social nature of humans. It also brings out the morality aspect strongly, with the characters navigating ethical dilemmas tied to corporate greed and international relations. Yet, the search for deeper meaning and purpose beyond the immediate plot remains conspicuously absent.

In conclusion, Hidden Strike attempts a daring spin on the action genre, weaving geopolitical commentary, and corporate critique into its narrative fabric. Despite its shortcomings, the film's attempt to bridge East and West against a backdrop of global intrigue provides a fascinating—if somewhat flawed—platform for discussion. However, if future ventures wish to carry such hefty undercurrents, they would be well-advised to marry their special effects with special attention to the realities of their exigent issues and the authenticity of their cinematic portrayals.