Fight or Flight

Fight or Flight is an unashamed genre mash-up that doesn't so much blend action and comedy as throw them into the overhead lockers and take off at full speed. Josh Hartnett leans into the absurdity with the same gusto Bruce Campbell brought to Evil Dead. All flailing limbs, deadpan one-liners, and a face that says, "I did not sign up for this." The film knows exactly what it is and, more importantly, what it isn't. It's not trying to be clever. It's trying to be fun, and it is.

There's a clear nod to Campbell's Ash in the way Hartnett navigates chaos. He somehow manages to be both the straight man and the punchline. At times, the film flirts with the ridiculousness of Snakes on a Plane. Just when you think it can't get more over-the-top, it throws in a set piece straight out of the John Wick playbook; if Wick were running on fumes and duct tape.

The violence is cartoonish. The humour lands more often than not. The pacing is tight enough to keep you buckled in. It's the kind of film that winks at the audience without smugness and invites you to enjoy the ride. You will.

It's a solid 7.5 out of 10. Not because it redefines the genre, but because it remembers what so many films forget. If you're going to be ridiculous, be really good at it.

I stumbled upon the 2025 movie "Fight or Flight" and opted to watch it on account of it being a movie that I hadn't already seen. In fact, I had never even heard about the movie prior to watching it, so I didn't know what I was in for. But usually the movies that Josh Hartnett shows up in tend to be watchable.

And color me impressed here. Writers Brooks McLaren and D. J. Cotrona put together a rather enjoyable storyline. Sure, it was a somewhat simplistic storyline, but there was so much action and violence crammed into the narrative that it was just well-worth taking 97 minutes to sit through. I was genuinely and wholeheartedly enjoying this action-packed thrill ride that is "Fight or Flight".

Josh Hartnett was phenomenally cast for this movie and he carried it so nicely. It was a pleasure to watch him back on the screen and in top form, nonetheless. He alone made it well-worth watching "Fight or Flight". Aside from Josh Hartnett, then there was only one other familiar face on the screen for me, and that was Katee Sackhoff. But they had a great cast ensemble, whom put on good acting performances throughout the course of the movie.

There is a lot of action and violence throughout the course of the 97 minutes that the movie runs for. And it was phenomenal to watch. It was choreographed nicely and executed equally nicely on the screen, just heightening the overall enjoyment of watching the movie. Much like "John Wick", the action and violence is almost a constant throughout the entire movie.

"Fight or Flight" is laced with some light comedy, which definitely helps to top off the violence and action. It was a nice combination and I had some good chuckles throughout the course of the movie.

It has been quite some time since I've been this entertained by an action movie. So thumbs up to director James Madigan and writers Brooks McLaren and D. J. Cotrona for that accomplishment.

This is definitely a movie that I will warmly recommend you to watch.

However, I will say that the ending of the movie certainly left much to be desired. The ending of the movie was like a slap to the face with a cold, dead fish, especially after having sat through 97 minutes of nearly non-stop entertaining action and violence. Now, the ending of the movie didn't ruin the viewing experience for me, not at all, but it just was a way too abrupt and out-of-nowhere type of ending.

My rating of "Fight or Flight" lands on a most well-deserved seven out of ten stars.

Fight or Flight is a perfect example of a fun movie. So, what makes a fun action flick? Let's explore.

First, you have to have good pacing. Things need to move, plot points need to happen frequently, slow parts/character moments need to be relatively short. This movie succeeds.

Second, the action needs to be on the crazy side, a bit over-the-top. No holding back, no cowardly PG-13 rating. Blood and gore are a plus. And a cherry on top would be if the action is filmed clearly, easy for the viewer to see. This movie succeeds.

Third, add some humor, preferably organic to the premise as opposed to inserting random jokes. If the tone of the movie is bloody, then use the bloodiness for humor. Make me laugh at the extent of the carnage. This movie succeeds.

Josh Hartnett does a great job in this role, especially with the humor. I had an awesome time with this movie and would watch it again.

(1 viewing, 5/5/2025)

This film was better than I expected. Is it a masterpiece, definitely not, is it the worst thing I've ever seen definitely not.

It's very 90s esq cheesy action film based around a group of assasins trying to kill someone on a plane while a drunk former secret service operative tries to save her. Do not watch this film expecting to see an Oscar worthy great.

However, Josh Hartnett is really good and carries the film well. It's the first thing I've seen Charithra Chandran in and thought she was really good to. The action is over the top and stupid but at the same time entertaining.

The worst thing about the movie is the ending where the film is left unfinished and set up for a sequel, which is a huge pet hate of mine.

I was really impressed with Josh's Peter Lorresque turn in last year's underrated Trap. However after a long lay-off to raise a family his choices have been kind of sketchy, and something about his essential midwestern idealism doesn't read as a jaded former operative called out of his drunken stupor in Thailand to find a spy on a transcontinental flight back to the states. There's kind of an interesting Agatha Christie quality to his queries of whom on the flight it could be between the usual "when are they adding stunt work as an Oscars category?" over-choreographed fight scenes, but the film of course feels cobbled together from familiar sources (the expletive-filled lazy dialogue in the agency with a strangely Jessica Chastainesque Katee Sackoff made one miss the subtleties of Black Book). The film offered intriguing questions ("Is there really a full shower offered in Malaysian Business Class?"), but it'd be neat if say the BBC did a series about the flight crew of one of these snazzy flights alone rather than having Liam, Brad or Josh beating up people around them; they seem like an interesting, fun bunch. Oh well, caught my favorite two minutes of Pugh and Harbour in Thunderbolts again and Gene Hackman marathon on TCM tonight. Good enough for me. Cheers!