Let’s get one thing straight: Land of Bad won’t be winning any Oscars for originality, but when you’re in the mood for a high-adrenaline, bullet-riddled spectacle, does that even matter?
This movie knows its audience, and it unapologetically serves up a buffet of tropes that action fans crave, like a cinematic cheat day that’s all explosions, gruff exchanges, and mayhem. And oh, do we feast.
The film kicks off with a classic “rookie meets the grizzled vet” setup. Liam Hemsworth plays the earnest newbie in the special forces, ready to save the day with a touch of idealism and a lot of firepower. His character, a young soldier on his first major mission, provides just enough naiveté to balance out the hardened warriors around him. Enter Russell Crowe as the no-nonsense drone pilot who’s more than a little rough around the edges. Crowe delivers his lines with that trademark scowl, making it clear from the get-go that he’s seen too many missions go south to even bat an eye. Together, they make an unlikely, entertaining team; Crowe’s steely intensity and Hemsworth’s wide-eyed bravery bring a surprisingly enjoyable dynamic to an otherwise straightforward plot.
In Land of Bad, the duo is thrust into a rescue mission gone sideways in the Philippines. Of course, it doesn’t take long for everything to hit the fan, and the next thing you know, they’re on the run, dodging bullets, bombs, and betrayal at every turn. Director Will Eubank leans hard into the “bad situation just keeps getting worse” formula but doesn’t waste time with a slow build. Right from the opening scenes, the film sets up a relentless pace, serving up one high-stakes, pulse-pounding moment after another. It’s a non-stop series of firefights, tense tactical operations, and narrow escapes that barely give the audience a chance to catch their breath.
As for Crowe, he manages to take what could’ve been a cardboard-cutout character and add a certain gravitas that only someone with his experience can bring. Crowe’s expressions, every weary glance and hardened smirk, make you believe this man has survived the darkest of missions. He delivers lines that might sound cliché on paper with just enough conviction to keep them engaging. And his scenes with Hemsworth have an unexpectedly solid rhythm, as Crowe’s character alternates between a rough mentor and reluctant comrade in the face of danger.
Hemsworth, meanwhile, pulls off his role with a certain charm, even if it’s not exactly a stretch for him. Playing the idealistic, slightly-too-eager soldier, he brings a sense of genuine belief to the role, which helps offset the more cynical tone of the film. And let’s be honest; there’s something endearing about watching him react to increasingly insane levels of peril with that look of "Is this really happening?" His character grows tougher and more battle-worn as the film goes on, and while we’re not breaking any new ground here, he nails the transformation from green rookie to hardened soldier with a performance that’s just grounded enough to keep the film from feeling too over-the-top.
Now, let’s talk action because that’s where Land of Bad truly shines. Explosions? Check. Gunfights? Oh, there’s plenty of those. Helicopter chases, perilous jumps, last-minute escapes from burning buildings? All included. It’s almost as if Eubank got his hands on a checklist of every action sequence fans love and made sure each box got a big, dramatic check mark. The combat scenes are shot with an impressive grit, managing to make even the most unbelievable stunts feel grounded. There’s an intense, raw quality to the film’s action that pulls you in, and while it may not be subtle, it’s undeniably satisfying.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Land of Bad is that it knows exactly what it is: a no-nonsense, high-stakes thriller designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. There’s no attempt at deep storytelling or layered metaphors, just a straightforward adrenaline rush from start to finish. The cinematography complements the tone, capturing the gritty landscapes and chaotic energy in stark, fast-paced shots. The soundtrack? Pure, unapologetic intensity. It doesn’t even give you a chance to catch your breath. This film keeps moving, propelling its audience forward with a momentum that’s almost impossible to resist.
In short, Land of Bad is like comfort food for the action movie junkie’s soul. It’s not redefining the genre, and it’s definitely not pretending to. But when you’re in the mood for something that delivers exactly what it promises: explosions, guns, and a rollercoaster of reckless fun, this movie is just what the drone pilot ordered.
