Reviewed By: Flickman
Prisoner of War isn’t going to sweep any award shows, but if you’re into martial arts flicks, it’s a solid enough watch. It’s exactly the kind of movie you throw on when you just want to see some good, old-fashioned ass-kicking.
The story follows British Wing Commander James Wright, played by Scott Adkins, who’s taken prisoner during World War II and forced to fight while plotting his escape from an internment camp. That’s really all you need to know… and honestly, all the movie cares about. The plot is simple, serving mostly as a setup for Adkins to do what he does best: beat up bad guys.
There’s a bit of filler here and there, the usual talk of escape plans, survival odds, and “the long march” to another camp, but none of that really matters. What keeps you watching is the action, and Adkins delivers exactly what his fans expect. If you’ve seen any of his previous movies, you already know the formula. Think Jean-Claude Van Damme in his prime: relentless fight scenes, over-the-top stunts, and a few gravity-defying kicks for good measure.
To be fair, Prisoner of War does run a tad long. Some scenes drag more than they should, and the pacing could’ve been tighter. Still, the fight choreography makes up for it. The acting isn’t great, but it’s watchable. No worse than what you’d expect from a low-budget action film. And yes, it’s packed with those gloriously ridiculous moments where someone gets kicked and spins around 20 times before hitting the floor, or when an explosion sends people flying like they’re in a comic book. Unrealistic? Absolutely. Entertaining? Definitely.
The key to enjoying this movie is going in with the right mindset. Don’t expect a gritty, realistic World War II drama about POWs. This is a martial arts movie set during World War II, not a historically accurate one. If you spend your time nitpicking what could or couldn’t happen in real life, you’re missing the point.
Some viewers will call this film bad, and that’s fine. They probably went in expecting Saving Private Ryan. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go into this thinking that’s what you’re going to get. If you go in looking for pure action and plenty of fight scenes though, you’ll have a good time. Just sit back, turn off your brain for 112 minutes, and enjoy Scott Adkins doing what he does best. Watch it for the action and don’t worry about the sub-par dialogue.
Overall Verdict: Not bad for an Action/Martial Arts movie - Just don't go in expecting to see anyone win an award for their performances.
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