Dirty Angels Review: Flawed, But Eva Green Proves Herself as an Action Star

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  • ‘Dirty Angel’s Compelling Premise Wins You Over Yet Fails to Fully Deliver

As a long-time fan of action movies and someone who has seen more than a few female characters relegated to secondary roles or one-dimensional caricatures, I found “Dirty Angels” to be a breath of fresh air. The film’s compelling premise, coupled with a powerful female cast, is a testament to the growing trend of women being front and center in action movies.

In the gripping new action thriller by director Martin Campbell titled Dirty Angels, a chaotic blend of bloodshed, intensity, and turmoil unfolds. Regrettably, the movie falls short in developing well-rounded characters that viewers can truly connect with during this intense tale of a desperate group attempting to turn the tide. The air is filled with the sound of automatic gunfire, and the death toll rises steadily as we grapple with our feelings for the young hostages whose lives teeter on the brink. It’s unfortunate that the filmmakers have chosen not to delve deeper into the characters’ backstories, but perhaps they are counting on our curiosity and anticipation to carry us through.

The novel “Dirty Angels” was penned by Alissa Sullivan Haggis and Jonas McCord. It’s likely that Martin, being fond of 1960s “mission movies” such as “The Guns of Navarone” and “The Dirty Dozen,” found the plot enticing, which revolves around a band of Afghan schoolgirls abducted as hostages. The story centers around Jake, an American soldier played by Eva Green, who collaborated with Campbell on the successful James Bond film “Casino Royale.” As events unfold, Jake teams up with an all-female commando squad to rescue the hostages. Their strategy involves infiltrating as a relief organization, but trust is hard to earn, as you might expect. Thus, another action-packed thriller is born.

Although director Campbell, renowned for his action-packed thrillers like GoldenEye, The Mask of Zorro, Vertical Limit, Beyond Borders, Edge of Darkness, and The Protégé, delivers an engaging visual experience, the script itself falls short. It heavily relies on violent incidents and a prolonged setup leading to the film’s dramatic rescue sequence. While we catch fleeting glimpses of this tight-knit group of committed women, the narrative fails to delve deeper into their stories. The character of Green’s Jake, burdened by past trauma, manages to pique curiosity and empathy, adding depth to his background. However, despite moments of tension that make the film captivating at times, it ultimately fails to reach its full potential as a truly epic production.

Not Enough Creative Bullets in ‘Dirty Angels’

In addition to Maria Bakalova (from “Creature Commandos”), Ruby Rose, Jojo T. Gibbs, Christopher Backus, and Reza Brojerdi, the movie “Dirty Angels” begins with a calamity that significantly affects Jake, played by Eva Green. She is a hardened Army Ranger who takes great pride in never abandoning her comrades on the battlefield, regardless of the danger. Following a failed mission where her team perished, Jake’s mental state deteriorates and her reputation suffers. This could potentially mark the end of her military career.

However, let’s rewind to the Middle East. Terrorists in Afghanistan attacked a girls’ school in Pakistan, abducting the students there. In time, they released everyone except five girls whose parents were diplomats and government officials. The ransom demanded was substantial. Enter Jake, as it turns out, she is now leading a rescue squad made up primarily of strong female soldiers. It takes some time for everything to align, but a quick alliance forms with one of the team members, Christopher Backus’s character Travis, who tries to persuade the rebels that this motley crew are medical personnel offering aid.

This makes for a great premise. And the set-up, the story, Jake’s angsty backstory, and the actual setting allow the audience to go, “Okay, I’ll buy it.” It’s just that the film — and this is mostly due to the writing, another surprise because the story also came from Campbell — is often one-note, too often skimming the surface. What a better-executed tale this would have been if we knew more about Jake other than her main tragedy. Or the other women in the team. This would have given the audience a deeper investment in caring more about the characters and how things play out.

‘Dirty Angel’s Compelling Premise Wins You Over Yet Fails to Fully Deliver

To put it simply, each character in this story has something captivating about them. Among them, Maria Bakalova’s character, often called “The Bomb,” is particularly intriguing due to her unique and quirky personality that stands out among others. As for Green, she truly shines in this action-thriller, which is said to be her debut, even though the script doesn’t offer much depth for her character. However, Green skillfully portrays Jake’s inner turmoil in a convincing manner. It seems that Green’s character finds this new mission crucial because it might alleviate some of the pain from past events. The other characters, such as the terrorists, follow typical antagonist patterns, but there’s enough complexity to keep us engaged.

Martin Campbell’s clever approach of immersing us into the setting is what stands out most. Whether it’s from a helicopter flight or exploring gritty locales where tension unfolds, these scenes feel authentic, making you ponder if stretched over eight episodes of a streaming series, the team might have triumphed even more. Shows like Homeland, Jack Ryan, Seal Team Six, The Terminal List, for example, excel at crafting well-rounded characters with compelling backgrounds.

It can be pointed out that Campbell chose to include more action scenes, but the most impactful ones are concentrated in the last 20 minutes. While there are some intriguing twists during the cat-and-mouse game between the kidnappers, this back-and-forth often seems prolonged, and the movie relies excessively on common action-thriller clichés. (However, there is a certain pleasure in all that at times.)

One significant issue with the storyline of “Dirty Angels” is that it moves at a rather slow pace, taking too long to reach its destination. A more engaging experience could have been created if there was a stronger emphasis on character development leading up to the climax. Instead of witnessing a lot of reactions, we’re left craving for more revelations about the characters.

For fans of military-themed action dramas, there’s no need for dismay. The film’s unique blend of intense action and a strong female cast navigating perilous scenarios piques more than casual interest. Remarkably ambitious in its tone and commitment to authentic setting, Dirty Angels is not one to be overlooked. Expect Eva Green to deliver an unexpectedly powerful performance throughout her action-packed role, cementing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the genre. Catch Dirty Angels in theaters or on VOD starting December 13.

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2024-12-12 23:31