Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»Movies»“Kandahar” is Another Messy Misfire for Gerard Butler [Review]
    Gerard Butler, "Kandahar" Mountain Road Films
    Movies

    “Kandahar” is Another Messy Misfire for Gerard Butler [Review]

    Derrick MurrayBy Derrick MurrayMay 27, 20235 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    I’m not quite sure what to make of Gerard Butler at this point. I can’t decide if he’s just really cheap to cast, or doesn’t read scripts and shows up on set as soon as the phone rings. I’m all down for the b-movie action star. Hell, Steven Seagal made an entire career of these straight to video type films. The difference is, whether Seagal knows it or not, a vast majority of his filmography is well aware of the shlock factors. Butler and the projects he chooses all seem to miss this pivotal mark, aiming to add levels of self seriousness to the worst of premises. This was noticeable with “Plane,” which had no business pretending it had anything to say, and is now followed by “Kandahar,” another film lacking self awareness and desperately trying add meaning to a meaningless outing. I am all for collecting those checks to feed your family. But at the very least admit that that’s what you’re doing instead of trying to pretend you’re striving to make high brow action cinema. “Kandahar” is a major miss across the board and a harsh reminder that action films should never be this boring.

    Gerard Butler, Navid Negahban “Kandahar” Open Road

    Directed by Ric Roman Waugh from a script by Mitchell LaFortune, “Kandahar” can’t escape its derivative framework even in its synopsis. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: CIA agent Tom Harris takes one last job before returning home, his cover gets blown and now he and his interpreter are stuck behind enemy lines and need to travel through 400 miles of hostile terrain to reach a military base in Kandahar. Along the way there are a plethora of operatives from countless countries all tasked with stopping them from reaching their destination, as well as bunch of other government agents trying to assist their precious spy to make it home safe. Oh ya, and the interpreter has a mission of his own that partially conflicts with the main one, something about family and redemption. It’s not quite clear, but also somehow plays a pivotal role in their relationship as they travel across the desert sand.

    “Kandahar” feels like Waugh watched “Guy Ritche’s The Covenant” and tasked himself with making the same film. Unfortunately, Waugh forgot to add the most important part of his copy cat work: you actually have to make your movie thrilling and have, you know, action to make an action thriller. Instead, Waugh trades out any kind of intrigue for convoluted political mumbo jumbo that is so messy and sprawling it’s near impossible to understand the motivations of anyone. “Kandahar” is baffling in its poor choices, especially considering the film reunites Waugh and Butler from their “Angel Has Fallen” outing. Granted, it’s not the best of that series, but both men understand action and why it’s so important when you’re making a film like this. This film inextricably trades anything that could be possibly interesting from a bunch nondescript guys standing around in rooms talking about things that seemingly have nothing to do with what is actually happening.

    The amount of meaningless characters is staggering. “Kandahar” has so many people that are supposed to be important but end up being relegated to undercooked subplots that never have any kind of payoff. There was literally a character that was introduced in the first act and then disappears until the final moments of the film. She turns out to be so inconsequential I said out loud, “oh ya, I forgot all about her!” Yes, “Kandahar” is that messy and unfocused to the point that you forget characters even existed. It’s unfortunate too, because you get the sense that a lot of these actors are vying for an opportunity to make a splash in Hollywood and American cinema. But outside of the recognizable Butler and few close up shots of some faces we’re suppose to remember and recognize from their foreign film appearances, “Kandahar” is so uninterested in being interesting is squanders all of them and as of this writing, the actors don’t even character names listed on Wikipedia. That’s right, I can’t even tell you WHO these people are playing in “Kandahar.”

    Gerard Butler “Kandahar” Open Road

    Look, I actually want Butler to succeed. Despite my harsh criticisms of his recent filmography, I actually think he’s a very capable actor trapped in bad projects for the money. With a little more discernment, I believe Butler could be a legitimate actor in films people want to see for more than just his name on the title card and face on the poster. That’s not a bad life to have either, but the problem is with every “Kandahar” release, it diminishes his star power and continues to waste his talents. I truthfully thought “Plane” was the lowest form wannabe action schlock 2023 had to offer. Then I watched “Kandahar” and discovered that the lows of this mindless slog was just getting started. It’s not even so good it’s bad, it’s just bad, boring, and not self aware enough to be even remotely entertaining.

    This one is a bad one, folks. “Kandahar” has its roots is far better films released this year, and lacks the self awareness to be worth watching. Spend your Memorial Day weekend seeing anything else. “Kandahar” is not worth your time in the theater, and you will be filled with regret if you decide to see for yourself. Seriously, just watch “Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant.” It’s the far better version of this film, and at the very least actually HAS action in an action film.

    Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars

    “Kandahar” hits theaters May 26th. You can watch the trailer below.

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous Article“Last of Us” Multiplayer Game Gets Possibly Scrapped
    Next Article Will Ferrell to Possibly Star as John Madden in Biopic
    Derrick Murray
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram

    Derrick Murray is a Los Angeles based stand up comedian, writer, and co-host for The Jack of All Nerds Show.

    Related Posts

    Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk” Drops its First Trailer

    May 7, 2025

    Brandy Reprises Cinderella for “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland”

    May 7, 2025

    “Practical Magic 2” Gets 2026 Release Date

    May 6, 2025

    What If Men Were Judged Like Women? This Film Hands Them a Sequin-Covered Mirror

    May 4, 2025

    “Friendship” The Funniest Movie I Couldn’t Wait to End [review]

    May 3, 2025

    “Thunderbolts*” Surprisingly Emotional Therapy Session for Anti-Heroes

    May 3, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    Image Background Remover: A Modern Tool for Flawless Visual Content

    May 8, 2025

    Creative Content and Interactive Experiences – Lessons from Abdulaziz bin Khalaf Al-Mutairi

    May 8, 2025

    Might Licensing Shifts for Short-Term Rentals Impact Local Housing?

    May 8, 2025

    Maximizing Your Retirement Benefits in Tennessee

    May 8, 2025

    How to Use Tetris for PTSD Recovery: A Science-Backed Guide

    May 7, 2025

    Funko Announces Price Increases Due to…Reasons

    May 6, 2025
    A Million Lives Book Festival

    Authors Lose Thousands at Failed ‘A Million Lives Book Festival’

    May 6, 2025

    Boost Your Confidence Between the Sheets Today

    May 6, 2025

    Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk” Drops its First Trailer

    May 7, 2025

    Brandy Reprises Cinderella for “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland”

    May 7, 2025

    “Practical Magic 2” Gets 2026 Release Date

    May 6, 2025

    What If Men Were Judged Like Women? This Film Hands Them a Sequin-Covered Mirror

    May 4, 2025
    "Squid Game" season 3

    Netflix’s “Squid Game” Gets 1st Trailer For Season 3

    May 6, 2025

    Jeremy Renner Explains Why He Won’t do “Hawkeye” Season 2

    May 2, 2025
    “Love, Death + Robots” Volume 4

    David Fincher Directs Red Hot Chili Peppers in “Love, Death + Robots”

    April 25, 2025

    Bill Hader Developing Jonestown Series for HBO

    April 23, 2025

    “Friendship” The Funniest Movie I Couldn’t Wait to End [review]

    May 3, 2025

    “Thunderbolts*” Surprisingly Emotional Therapy Session for Anti-Heroes

    May 3, 2025

    “Sinners” is Sexy, Boozy, Bloody, Bluesy, and Amazing [Review]

    April 18, 2025

    “The Legend of Ochi” Cute Puppets, But No Magic [Review]

    April 16, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.