Anna Daniels
In the competitive arena of Hollywood star-studded productions, few flops are as pronounced as Joe Carnahan’s Shadow Force. With an expenditure of $60 million and a lineup featuring Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, and Mark Strong, expectations were high. However, it only made $2 million during its opening weekend and currently holds a disappointing 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. What led to this downturn, and is this a singular hiccup or indicative of widespread challenges in the action film industry? Let’s explore this fascinating downfall.
The Numbers Are Revealing
Financially, Shadow Force is undoubtedly a misfire. With only $2 million generated on its debut weekend juxtaposed against a $60 million budget, it appears unlikely to recover its production costs, joining the ranks of other costly action flops like Dark Phoenix (lost $144 million) and John Carter (lost $236 million) (MovieWeb). Critically, it has been shredded by reviewers, who described it as “bland,” “lifeless,” and a “haphazard collection of tropes” (The Guardian). However, an interesting phenomenon emerged: despite critic disdain, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at 82%, indicating that many viewers found enjoyment in it. One enthusiastic viewer stated, “It was absolutely filled with action!!! The son in the film was just too charming” (Rotten Tomatoes).
Unpacking the Failure
To discern the reasons behind Shadow Force‘s shortcomings, we must scrutinize its execution and overall context. Critics pointed out various pitfalls:
- Unoriginal Plot: The storyline, centered around former special forces members on the escape, came off as overly familiar. IGN remarked, “Shadow Force resembles more of a film concept than an actual movie” (IGN).
- Lackluster Chemistry: While Carnahan praised his leads, critics noted that Washington and Sy lacked a convincing connection, which undermined the emotional depth (Roger Ebert).
- Subpar Action Scenes: Although some stunts were executed well, the overall action was deemed clichéd and uninspired (JoBlo).
- Inconsistent Tone: The film’s effort to merge family drama with action created a disjointed narrative, with “sitcom-like moments” clashing with its darker themes (Metacritic).
The choice to limit early screenings for critics likely contributed to negative sentiment surrounding the film, although it’s debatable whether earlier reviews could have changed the outcome. With twelve producers credited, including some controversial names like Christopher Woodrow, there might have been internal challenges affecting the production.
Carnahan had ambitious visions for the film. In a discussion with Moviefone, he highlighted his emphasis on family dynamics and dramatic choices, such as a parent’s protective instincts. He also approached action sequences from a child’s perspective, inspired by his experiences as a father. “I wanted to shield the child from violence, much like I would for my daughters,” he stated. Yet, these themes failed to resonate with critics, who viewed the family angle as overly sentimental and the action ineffectual.
The Bigger Picture: Repeating Mistakes
Shadow Force is part of a troubling trend. The last decade has witnessed several expensive action flops, each plagued by its own unique issues:
| Film Title | Release Year | Financial Loss | Failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Phoenix | 2019 | $144M | Poor critical reception, weak audience appeal |
| Mulan | 2020 | $148M | Unfavorable timing (COVID-19), restricted release |
| King Arthur: Legend of the Sword | 2017 | $169M | Modern interpretation didn’t resonate, casting issues |
| Battleship | 2012 | $177M | Lack of originality, unfavorable reviews |
| Mortal Engines | 2018 | $189M | Poor narrative structure, execution flaws |
| The Lone Ranger | 2013 | $221M | Overly complex story, issues of representation |
| John Carter | 2012 | $236M | Marketing missteps, perceived as unoriginal |
In this context, Shadow Force appears to share similarities with its predecessors, suffering from a lack of originality in a saturated action market. Much like John Carter, it seemingly failed to differentiate itself, while its inconsistencies mirror Battleship‘s formulaic shortcomings.
Carnahan’s previous work has had mixed results. While Narc (84% on Rotten Tomatoes) and The Grey (80%) achieved critical acclaim, others like Smokin’ Aces (31%) and Death Wish (17%) struggled (Rotten Tomatoes). Shadow Force aligns with his less favorable films, yet its high audience rating suggests it found a specific audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLmE0ST10wg
Future Endeavors for Carnahan and the Action Genre
Despite this setback, Carnahan remains optimistic about the future. His forthcoming Netflix project RIP, featuring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, is likely to draw considerable interest thanks to the platform’s visibility and star cachet. This may overshadow Shadow Force‘s misfortunes, akin to how The Grey revived Carnahan after Smokin’ Aces.
For the action film landscape, Shadow Force serves as a cautionary reminder. High-budget action films hold inherent risks, and their success often relies on innovation, quality of execution, and suitable timing. Studios might need to reconsider their strategies, potentially shifting toward modest budgets or fresh narratives to avoid joining the lengthy lineage of failures.
Shadow Force illustrates that in Hollywood, substantial budgets and star talent do not guarantee triumph. It resembles an extravagant sports car that runs out of fuel—impressive at first glance but ultimately stalled. For the time being, it may find its way to streaming services or in-flight entertainment, potentially gaining a second chance. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Carnahan’s next move. Will you give Shadow Force a shot when it streams, or is it a definite no? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7LhGytiHFM
