Overrun (2021) Film Review
It’s very curious that Overrun is a fine example of something I had never experienced before: a sweet action film. It’s all about how characters seem to be playing innocent versions of genre archetypes that will all end up in the same place. The happy ending viewers sometimes deserve.
If you remove this rare trait from the film, you end up with a common approach that goes nowhere with its convoluted plot. Fortunately, in this safe ecosystem that is indie cinema, the film works. You don’t have to give much thought to the film’s direction because it isn’t aimed to be a vehicle of twists. This time predictability doesn’t affect what is a fun experience.
Oh and Overrun is very, very well shot. It’s noticeable from the start.
It tells the story of Marcus Lombardi, a man shrouded by his past. He’s an ex-specialist who’s forced to help mobsters because his sister is an informant and she’s in danger. His latest mission could be the most dangerous he’s been in, but it also seems this could be the end of his collaboration scheme.
On the other side, police agents are trying to uncover the operations of the mob and Lombardi’s mission is sort of related. Yeah, solving it is hard.
Also irrelevant. Overrun works in a setting that stinks of cameos and collaborations that are fortunately well mixed in the plot. The film can’t afford to be more than just a collection of quirky characters throwing one-liners at each other and making fun of themselves. Bruce Dern shows up and plays a dark character I would have loved to get to know more of. Also Nicholas Turturro does the same character he always does.
In this character-driven action film, the story makes a full stop in the second act and gets faded with excessive action scenes and the introduction of idiotic secondary characters. The film goes further because at this point you may have guessed how it will end. Not even last minute twists seem important. At the end, all pieces fit, and everyone gets a giant smile. Just the way it has to be.
Overrun isn’t a bad film at all. It’s full of passion, and the imprint of a production team that’s borderline apt to work in a big Hollywood studio setting. Acting classes should apply, and sound mixing should be improved, but for a small indie film that’s filled with action, thrills and funny characters, Overrun is quite decent.
And yes, its cinematography is impressive. Who is this guy Gevorg Gev Juguryan and how haven’t I heard more from him?
