Falcon Rising (2014)

Simply Perfect

hyped garbage

A Masterpiece!

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

****CONTAINS GENERIC PLOT SPOILERS****Johnny Chapman (Michael Jai White) is a PTSD vet who is off his meds. He is suicidal, but works out just in case. He lives in NYC and is visited by his sister Cindy (Laila Ali) who pops in from Brazil so they can go to dinner together, and then back she goes.Cindy is a volunteer worker who gets bludgeoned in Brazil. Chapman (aka Falcon) now has a reason to live as he goes after the bad guys in Rio, a city that has great stock footage scenery, but has most of the action take place in a small section of the slums. In spite of that, it was a welcomed change from the Mideast and Bulgaria. At this point the film goes super formula as we add elements of Patrick Swayze, Charles Bronson, child prostitution ring (hasn't been done enough yet) crooked cops, and yes the Yakuza who sneak up on armed people, brandishing a sword and while yelling. Won't tell you how that works out.My biggest shock was that Neal McDonough as an actual good guy and not the Chechen "Albino Assassin." How did they miss that? Maybe in the next one as this appears to be the first in a series of films...depending on profits. Good formula writing for those who like the vigilante thing.Parental Guidance: No sex or nudity. No F-bombs that I recall. Some adult themes and language (punta) most of which was in Portuguese.

Falcon Rising is an action thriller from 2014 starring Michael Jai White in the title role, John 'Falcon' Chapman. Falcon is US Marine veteran and suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Film picks up momentum when Falcon receives a call from his old buddy Ridley who works in US Consulate in Brazil that Falcon's Sister Cindy is beaten badly and left for dead in the Brazilian Favela. Falcon travels to Brazil and visits his sister in the hospital. He also meets up with Santo and Carlo who are in-charge of investigating his sister's case. Something goes wrong right in front of Falcon in the hospital and from then on he wants to conduct his own investigation. What did Falcon's sister Cindy find and who was responsible for her state and what is actually happening in Brazilian Favela is told in an interesting mode which keeps the viewers engrossed to the screen. Director Ernie Barbarash needs to be complimented for pulling off an action yarn of this standard. Cinematographer Yaron Levy had captured the action and Brazilian favela nicely. Falcon Rising is an entertaining, thrilling and unsentimental action movie where you will be seeing good old-fashioned fight choreography done brilliantly. Good treat for action lovers.

Great balance of humor, fight scenes and story. Its got a good plot that keeps it interesting, not overly complicated but better than your average sister/friend/wife gets beaten or killed then uncontrollable rampage, there's a little more going on. There's a few twists in the plot some easier to spot than others but for an action film its does the job perfectly. The acting is good, a little dry in places more so from the other characters, Michael Jai White plays his part really well and has some great throw away lines. There's some good choreography and use of weapons and different styles of fighting, plus its not ill take on an army with guns using just kung fu, the fights adapt as the need arises. Will be recommending this to some friends and probably watching it again.All in all fun film well worth a watch.

An entertaining film, with impressive Martial arts action, Michael Jai White's skills are just dazzling! Which takes me to my second subject in this review. I recently saw the Equalizer film with Denzel Washington, and while I certainly I'm a big fan and admirer of Denzel, one of the finest actors this side of the Atlantic. But After watching Blood and Bone (A very good and engaging action thriller), and more recently Falcon Rises, I must admit that there was not a single time during the movie where I would not wish Michael Jai White would have performed the role. It was tailored for a man of his talents. Let's face it, MJW can act,he can play the silent warrior blindfolded, is an extremely skilled and athletic Martial Artist (With over 7 Blacks Belts under his belt, pardon the pun), and knows how to play the retired, traumatized, avenging hero, full of rage, to perfection. Too bad producers and directors do not give a shot to actors like Michael Jai White, still, the big opportunity might know at his door real soon, and we will have a new action hero in our movie screens. Patience, is a virtue indeed.