Today’s quick review: Falcon Rising. When his sister is nearly beaten to death in a Brazilian favela, John Chapman (Michael Jai White), a veteran struggling with depression, heads to Rio de Janeiro to find out why. With the help of Manny (Neal McDonough), a US Embassy official, and Katarina (Millie Ruperto), a compassionate local cop, John continues his sister’s work: uncovering a human trafficking ring run by the yakuza.
Set in Brazil, Falcon Rising is a textbook action movie with clean but unexceptional execution. Michael Jai White makes for a credible action hero: strongheaded, compassionate, and dangerous enough to take the fight to criminals. The combat is a pleasing mixture of martial arts and gunplay, and while the stunts are far from innovative, they are skillful enough to get the job done.
Falcon Rising also has a fairly involved plot for an action movie. The key plot points are typical for the genre, but the film cultivates a large supporting cast and gives John’s investigation a nice progression. Falcon Rising falls well short of a moving drama: none of the characters are all that deep, and the writing lacks finesse. But Falcon Rising pays more attention to its story than similar movies, and it doesn’t sacrifice its action to do so.
Watch Falcon Rising if you are in the mood for a competent action movie with no frills. Falcon Rising is a textbook entry into the genre that delivers just enough quality to entertain action fans. Skip it if you aren’t into budget action movies. For Brazilian action with an ensemble cast, a lighter tone, and a bigger budget, check out Fast Five.
5.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for plain but satisfying action.