The underlying story is based on real-life events: the intense five-day war in 2008 between Russia and the Georgian Republic. But most of the film is a fictional account of American journalist Thomas Anders (Friend), his cameraman Sebastian (Richard Coyle), and a Georgian woman (Emmanuelle Chriqui), who are caught behind enemy lines and must find a way to report on Russia's outrageous actions during the conflict. Anders is a freewheeling correspondent accustomed to jumping into the center of the action. Considering recent accounts of journalists who have risked, and even lost, their lives covering similar conflicts, it would have been smart to focus the story completely on him rather than letting the pyrotechnics get in the way.
Although this is a war film, it is told from the point of view of a reporter rather than the soldiers fighting on the front lines. And either Friend couldn't get a handle on the role or Harlin wouldn't let him, as his acting is often stilted, bordering on amateurish. Coyle does better in the sidekick part, but he isn't given much to work with, while the intriguing Chriqui is also given little to do. Harlin populates the film with a number of name supporting players, but most of them are flat, particularly the normally outstanding Garcia, as the Georgian president caught in the midst of a horrifying fight for the future of his land. Garcia just isn't believable in the role, and his accent meanders. Dean Cain as an associate is like a cardboard cutout, suggesting that the filmmakers settled on actors who happened to be available rather than those who were right for these roles. Val Kilmer is at least decent as another journalist, and German star Antje Traue has a couple of nice moments as a photographer. An opening sequence involving Heather Graham is genuinely exciting, but, alas, it's a one-shot deal.
There's definitely a movie in this somewhere, but Harlin hasn't found it. It would have been far better off as a docudrama instead of the bastardized Hollywood version of the story on display here. However, if you are into explosions, endless battles, and lots of macho mechanics, this is the film for you. But it does no justice to the real journalists who put themselves on the front lines for their profession every day.
Genre: War drama
Written by Mikko Alanne and David Battle
Directed by Renny Harlin
Starring Rupert Friend, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Richard Coyle, Andy Garcia, Val Kilmer, Heather Graham, Antje Traue
