Long Gone Heroes

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.

(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.

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.

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.

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.