Long Gone Heroes

If you see the name Frank Grillo in something, just go ahead and pass on by. Especially if they are trying, again, to make him the leading "actor". He brings absolutely nothing to anything he is in, except a reminder about those horrid hair-club commercials. And even then, you might think they aren't the best club to be in. You'd be right, it shows.

I'd like to know who is is related to, because I've not seen this many attempts at a leading man since Chris Pine was an actor...oh, he still is you say? I kid, kind of.

Cliches and tired tropes are what you are after? Acting that makes you know you could be a star? This is it.

(2024) Long Gone Heroes ACTION THRILLER

Co-written and directed by John Swab that has California senator, Olivia Peterson (Melissa Leo) contacting former special ops, Gunner (Frank Grillo) to come out of retirement to save her daughter and his niece, Julia (Eden Brolin) who happens to be a humanitarian worker/ reporter. He then puts together a team sending West (Beau Knapp) and Matty (George Carroll) to fetch a tech guy named David (Josh Hutcherson). Together they would then travel to South America as according to their intel she was being held captive by some dug cartels. But by the time they showed up, the entire cartel family were already been killed with an old friend, Guapo (Juan Pablo Raba) sitting down eating who eventually becomes a part of Gunner's special ops group. It was later revealed she has been kidnapped again by a militia group led by Roman (Andy Garcia) with his right hand man, Moreau (Mekhi Phifer).

In terms of the action and the tone, while I was watching this, reminded me of two movies that I thought are way more superior than this one- one is "Blackhawk Down" and the one fight scene reminded me of "Commando". One of the inconsistencies about this movie is the fact that Gunner and his special ops had opportunities taking a hummer or two and instead decide to run through the streets. That did not even make any since one of those vehicles even had a built in machine gun.

What drew me to the film was seeing well known actor Mekhi Phifer in a scene with the venerated Andy Garcia. It's safe to say that both their screen times were very inadequate as their character development was shown poorly. Frank Grillo as the main protagonist was decent in his role and undoubtedly took the reigns the entire way. The dialogue was slowly dragging in most scenes and the action took too long to develop even though it was okay, very poor directing on both regards. I'm quite glad I didn't buy it, I strongly suggest that the viewer rent it instead, they'll be the better for it. This could've been way better than what it is. I'm only giving it 3 stars because of three things; Frank Grillo, the excellent shots that were taken throughout the film, and the action.

Now I'm sure Frank Grillo has been good in something but I'm yet to find it and I should have know it was going to be bad but overall the casting for this movie was awful One thing about movies try and make it some what believable with the character bad guys totally unbelievable good guy not much better Frank Grillo is cracking on 60 and as fit as he is no way is he right for this kind of movie anymore but yet again he's wheeled out for action movie The story and plot is awful the sound is awful and the acting is poor no wonder it went straight to streaming because it would have been a disaster at the theater As always watch it make your own mind up but don't say I didn't warn you Happy viewing.

Another day and another straight to streaming action film starring Frank Grillo. It is a shame as he is capable of much more when given decent material.

He plays, Gunner a jaded special forces soldier. He assembles a team to go to Venezuela to rescue his niece Julia, a crusading journalist. The neice also happens to be the daughter of a US Senator played by Oscar winner Melissa Leo.

Julia is held captive by local warlord called Roman (Andy Garcia) who wants his hands on some footage that she captured. He has an enforcer called Moreao (Mekhi Phifer) who has his own beef with Gunner.

The movie has some political statements regarding Venezuela and its issues with oil and corruption.

Apart from that. It is very much a seen it all generic action thriller. Although this one has a better quality cast.

Unfortunately it takes too long to get going and it needed to be 20 minutes shorter.

You also have to wonder why such a movie wants to have hissable baddies who threaten to kill babies with a gun.