Gunplay fuels the new action thriller Man of War, starring LaMonica Garrett (Lioness, 1883). The film, now available on Digital, is set during the opening days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, giving this otherwise familiar rescue mission a timely and compelling backdrop.
Garrett stars as Conner, a former elite American Special Forces soldier who risks his life to rescue his niece after she becomes trapped in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Assisting him is Dany (Andrew Howard), a Ukrainian CIA operative who knows the dangers of the war zone all too well. Jason Patric also stars as a CIA handler.
Rescue missions behind enemy lines are a staple of the action genre, but Man of War distinguishes itself by placing the story amid the chaos of modern-day Ukraine. One sequence in particular recalls the haunting early images of the invasion, adding an emotional weight that elevates the film beyond its nonstop firefights.
The action is driven primarily by heavy gunplay, with frequent explosions and large-scale firefights keeping the pace brisk from beginning to end.
Characters
Garrett plays an adrenaline-fueled soldier with a dry delivery. Fortunately, he's surrounded by more colorful supporting characters. Howard's Dany provides much of the film's emotional core as a devoted family man whose determination to protect both his loved ones and his homeland gives the story added heart.
The villain is a one-note player as a Russian commander. John Wick fans will recognize the actor and stuntman Daniel Bernhardt, who appeared in all four movies and in Ballerina (2025) as an actor, stuntman, or both.
Special Effects and Editing
The film delivers plenty of firepower, and the action sequences generate solid intensity. However, the visual effects reveal the production's limited budget. Scenes inside moving vehicles feature obvious green-screen backgrounds, and one exterior shot of a building is reused so often that it appears to be a still image rather than newly filmed footage. It's possible my version may not have been a final cut.
The editing is also inconsistent during the climactic battle. Several moments appear to break the 180-degree rule, making it difficult to track where characters are positioned and whom they're facing. Combined with the dimly lit action, the confusing eyelines make the finale more disorienting than suspenseful.
Final Verdict
While the relentless firefights should satisfy fans of military action films, uneven visual effects and confusing editing keep the movie from reaching its full potential. Even so, LaMonica Garrett and Andrew Howard (The Odyssey) provide enough commitment to make this a worthwhile watch for viewers looking for a straightforward, action-packed war thriller set against an impactful backdrop.
