18 reviews
What was the point of this movie? It's something that's been done hundreds of times and all much better. The directing and editing were terrible, and it took two writers to come up with every predictable cliche and a lackluster story that made the dragged poorly paced two hour runtime feel much longer. Most of the action scenes were poorly filmed and choreographed.
The casting was great, although some actors needed better cast direction, and Frank Grillo as usual carried this movie. He's an underrated actor who deserves bigger and better roles. And although casting Andy Garcia may be a draw to see this movie, his max 5 min screen time didn't add any value to the movie, and it felt like he just called his lines in. It's a generous 4/10 all going to Grillo and the decent cinematography and location sets.
The casting was great, although some actors needed better cast direction, and Frank Grillo as usual carried this movie. He's an underrated actor who deserves bigger and better roles. And although casting Andy Garcia may be a draw to see this movie, his max 5 min screen time didn't add any value to the movie, and it felt like he just called his lines in. It's a generous 4/10 all going to Grillo and the decent cinematography and location sets.
- Mister-GTA
- Sep 21, 2024
- Permalink
- crypticoutsider
- May 17, 2025
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The only good part of the movie is when they speak really bad about the political situation in Venezuela and the government. After that, the movie is too bad, non of the landscapes are from Venezuela, they didn't make an effort staging Caracas, and come on... Colombian accents in every actor who speak spanish? We have good actors such as Edgar Ramirez, Wilmer Valderrama, etc..., and if you want a cheaper actor, please contact me, I could teach you all about my culture, how the military are, the expresions for high and low class people, even the cars and bikes are too wrong. Have they ever been to Venezuela? Or perhaps seen a yt video of the country? It wasn't that hard, was it?
- amcr-71854
- Sep 20, 2024
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I am a big Grillo fan , a fan of Beau Knapp and either actor will make me want to see a movie they are in. Both in one picture with strong performances from Melissa Leo, Eden Brolin , Josh Hutcherson, George Carroll and Juan Pablo Raba, it was surprising how good this was. All of these actors really shined in their roles, most likely because this movie actually had a real script with character development. The writer took the time to give this a story where I could actually understand what was going on and these actors brought the story to life. Is this a big budget Hollywood production, obviously not, but in my mind that is a plus. Grillo makes movies I want to see. He's incredible and he's backed up here by a fine cast and a movie with some real tension and some horrific scenes. My only complaint would be while there is a fair amount of action, I would have liked a bit more. On the other hand, by the end of this movie I really cared about the characters and I've seen so many poor movies lately where everyone is the bad guy so you end up rooting for no one. This was very good. A character driven thriller.
- hampersnow-41369
- May 20, 2025
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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.
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.
- Prismark10
- Sep 20, 2024
- Permalink
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.
- kenyarobinson_74
- Sep 28, 2024
- Permalink
Melissa Leo and Andy Garcia must have been doing a friends kid a favor. This wasn't terrible but certainly could have been better. A bit of a lazy, cliche script/plot, but not badly acted. A few other familiar faces that performed well with what they were given. The action is okay, at times as unbelievable as any other hero rescue film, but overall okay. I guess these kinds of movies need to exist, and people in the industry need work. Every film doesn't have to be Oscar worthy.
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.
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.
- thang-247-480512
- Sep 21, 2024
- Permalink
So ridiculously formulaic. Special forces go in. Get into trouble. An unarmed fist fight which the hero wins. All ends well.
No wonder Americans think that their military is the best in the world.
Then there's the robotic script, wooden acting and the ending, the very definition implausibility.
Nonsense on film.
No wonder Americans think that their military is the best in the world.
Then there's the robotic script, wooden acting and the ending, the very definition implausibility.
Nonsense on film.
- martinjohnson-71342
- Aug 3, 2025
- Permalink
The niece actress was horrible acting like it was her first movie maybe it was? Infact had they picked a better actress the movie rating would be much higher. She just ruined the whole effect of the movie and was so unbelievably disappointing.
Action packed and surprisingly kept my interest hoping that they don't show too much of the neice
The guy actors were believable and action packed.
Strip joint scene comical but then the brothel scene was way too much and unnecessary
If you're a guy you will probably like it if you're a girl just skip this one and don't waste your time there are for more better movies to watch.
Action packed and surprisingly kept my interest hoping that they don't show too much of the neice
The guy actors were believable and action packed.
Strip joint scene comical but then the brothel scene was way too much and unnecessary
If you're a guy you will probably like it if you're a girl just skip this one and don't waste your time there are for more better movies to watch.
- rlmorris-44957
- Jan 18, 2025
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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.
- john-mcnally80
- Jul 31, 2025
- Permalink
(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.
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.
- jordondave-28085
- Apr 12, 2025
- Permalink
Pretty nonsense movie with alot of action and it still not appeals me alot. I like warmovies and action, but this was just too much for me. It was not so great at all, it misses something like a good story. It feeling forced and no brainmovie. It was not a great movie, sorry Viaplay, but i dont like this.
- berrason_rihanna
- Aug 23, 2025
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Great movie! You actually know what is going on from the beginning. So many movies just open with action & no lead in to the subject detail. This one is actually shows a connected story line that you understand to the end. Think of how many movies you have watched & asking 'who is that', 'why did he do that' or my fave, 'i did not get any of it' as the credits roll. The only ewwwy parts are when they are pointing guns at moms & babies. No babies were shot. But too much killing by bad humans is disturbing.
This movie will not disappoint. The acting is decent, it has a bit of humor & the bad guys get what they deserve. Perfect!
This movie will not disappoint. The acting is decent, it has a bit of humor & the bad guys get what they deserve. Perfect!
- toriamoran
- Apr 7, 2025
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Long Gone Heroes is a gripping action thriller that delivers a raw and tense experience from start to finish. The film balances hard-hitting combat with moments of emotional depth, making its characters feel layered and real. Its pacing keeps the tension high, and the gritty atmosphere enhances every scene. A must-watch for fans of realistic, well-crafted action.
- DramaDiva_ActionQueen
- Aug 11, 2025
- Permalink