Echo Effect

If I wasn't a Steve Austin fan I would have struggled to even give this film a score of 1, let alone 2.

The disappointment level of the movie is summed up by one shocking omission by the editing department where we see a guy clearly landing on a crash mat during a fight scene. Poor acting, unbelievably bad music that didn't match with the tone trying to be conveyed in each scene, and unnecessary use of sound effects all combined to successfully make my wife fall asleep.

(2015) Chain of Command/ Echo Effect ACTION THRILLER.

Co written and directed by Kevin Carraway that has James/ Jimmy Webster (Michael Jai White) celebrating his homecoming from duty with his older brother, Walter/ Walt Webster (Ken Early) and with friends. During this moment that should be a celebration, James notices his brother is having some problems while talking on his phone and tries to involve himself in his brother's affairs without success. On the following morning, he is then informed that his brother is dead. And after retrieving some of his brothers items, each one of his military friends either ends up murdered or discovered dead. And James goes on an investigation rant leaving him with the only clue of the name, Bill O'Brien (Carter Bratton). Meanwhile, a former special ops himself, Ray Peters (Steve Austin) going on a pursuit and is apparently part of a group of thugs/ syndicate involve in the shipping of narcotics from overseas. Part of a military ops group that also includes,supposedly one of Walt or Jimmy's friends, LT Bob Ross (Max Ryan) working for the main boss, Ted Bomber (Ken Strunk) all involved in the recovery of 40 million dollars that was stolen from them. Viewers also discover the man who did most of the murders that also includes James brother, Walt we find out is an agent, Hammond (Charles Page).

All this is, in terms of plot device is the less than equivalent of "Lethal Weapon" that involves special ops going rogue to start up their won criminal syndicate with the only difference is that it involves the recovery of millions of dollars. Upon watching this film sometimes appears that it was made on a whim. The investigator involve in the case of solving James murder is almost worthless or non existent.

...let me shine a light on some of the positive things about this movie. No, it's not great. Yes the acting is bad, yes the story is cliché. You can read everything. I just wanted to say I enjoyed the action. This movie promised action and it delivered. I don't turn on a film staring Steve Austin hoping for some Oscar winning performance. And although he doesn't really do anything in the movie, there is plenty of kicking and shooting to keep me entertained. Most low budget action movies promise a lot of big stuff and don't deliver. At least this movie delivered.

I've watched a fair few films with bad plots and bad acting but without a doubt, this one deserves its rightful place at the top of the list. Michael Jai White is normally a very good actor but I suppose that he can only work with what he is given and in the case of this particular film, he was given a big pile of ****.

As for Steve Austin. I honestly think that when he was acting in the wrestling ring he gave a better performance than in this film and I think that the best choice of roles for him in future films would involve his being a tough guy villain who couldn't speak.

In the end it probably all came down to good old fashioned $$$'s and the actors were made offers that they couldn't refuse even if they knew that the end product would be an extremely poor, instantly forgettable film.

Micheal Jai White is one of the top direct-to-video action stars thanks to films like Undisputed II and Blood and Bone. His great martial arts skills are always complemented by his good acting. So how and why he got wrapped up in this amateur production is beyond me. Seriously, this flick is so flat and displays all of the style of something you would see on Hallmark or Lifetime. Even worse, director Kevin Carraway has very little insight on how to properly film and edit a fight scene (look for one shot where you can see the safety mat on the ground). Not allowing White to show case his abilities is just downright criminal. Add in a perfunctory plot and Steve Austin doing his best not to look off camera to spot a bank to cash his check and you have one of White's worst films in years. I understand he has to work, but I just wish it was with better people. I have no doubt White's forthcoming Never Back Down 3 will correct this.