Kandahar (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal Pictures
Release Date: July 18, 2023
 Rating: PG-13
 Film:  2.5/5
 
 Plot
 Tom Harris (Gerard Butler), an undercover CIA operative, is stuck deep in hostile territory in Afghanistan. After his mission is exposed, he must fight his way out to an extraction point in Kandahar, all while protecting his Afghan translator, avoiding elite enemy forces and relentless foreign spies tasked with hunting them down.


My Thoughts
I’m generally a fan of Butler’s films and always find them to be a good way to spend a couple of hours even if the plots are a bit far-fetched. This one started out quite well but really starts to drag in the second half and unfortunately, ends with somewhat of a predictable dud. The story is a bit convoluted and you have to fill in a lot of the blanks that most likely ended up on the cutting room floor since they kept the production to just under two hours. Butler does his best to overcome the shortcomings in the script but ultimately fails.
 
The video presentation is a mixed-bag with the well-lit scenes looking excellent but many of the nighttime desert scenes look flat and dull. Fortunately, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is quite active and there’s some great scenes that will test the dynamic range of your sound system and give your subwoofers quite a workout.
 
Video 4/5 (AVC)
 Audio 4.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
 Special Features:

• None
• Blu-ray + DVD + Digital

 
 

 Conclusion
 Sadly, this one just doesn’t hold up too well. It starts off with a bang and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but ultimately the second act unravels the story and by the end you’re just hoping for the experience to be over. If you’re a fan of Butler’s work, you should enjoy this for what it is, but it’s nowhere close to his better films.      
 

 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Kaleidescape Strato + Server
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
SVS SB3000
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

Thanks for the review.  I was just looking at this one, but think I'll skip it based on your description.  I like Butler; it's too bad he's not getting better scripts.  He's got talent as an action hero.

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for the review.  I was just looking at this one, but think I'll skip it based on your description.  I like Butler; it's too bad he's not getting better scripts.  He's got talent as an action hero.

Scott,

This one had loads of potential and started out extremely well, but it peaked at about the 40 minute mark and then drags a good 40 minutes before picking up steam again. Some bizarre choices and far-fetched plot angles just ruined it and my wife and I were laughing at it towards the end with exclamations of "OMG, are you kidding me?" Never a good thing. 

[bmoney]

Thanks as always for the review 

[David Vaughn]

Thanks as always for the review

No problem. 

[AVSCraig]

I'll watch " Plane " again instead, thanks.

[Paul Heroy]

Watched this tonight, liked it a little more than David. The mix of countries, warlords & other orgs in that region with shifting alliances makes for a difficult tale to coalesce in an action movie. From a narrative perspective it could have been improved by streamlining some of that, or otherwise being told in something like a 6 episode season of Homeland.

We watched Guy Ritchie's The Covenant last weekend which has a similar setting, and that was a really good and intense movie both from an action and emotional standpoint.

[David Vaughn]

Watched this tonight, liked it a little more than David. The mix of countries, warlords & other orgs in that region with shifting alliances makes for a difficult tale to coalesce in an action movie. From a narrative perspective it could have been improved by streamlining some of that, or otherwise being told in something like a 6 episode season of Homeland.

We watched Guy Ritchie's The Covenant last weekend which has a similar setting, and that was a really good and intense movie both from an action and emotional standpoint.

Glad you enjoyed it Paul.