One More Shot is a British action thriller coming out in 2024 that is directed by James Nunn. This film acts as a direct sequel to the 2021 movie One Shot. It continues from where the last film ended, focusing on elite Navy SEAL Jake Harris, who is once again embroiled in a deadly conspiracy. The filmmakers intend for One More Shot to put viewers through an exhilarating cinematic experience, especially with its real-time flow, adrenaline-fueled pace, and continuous-shot approach.
The film features Scott Adkins in the leading role. He performs gun and hand-to-hand combat while demonstrating high levels of stamina and suspense. The camera doesn’t cut away from him. He is joined by Michael Jai White, Alexis Knapp, Tom Berenger, as well as other actors who add detail to the chaotic range of violence occurring in the middle of a single mission.
Synopsis
In “One More Shot,” the story begins with the aftermath of the preceding film. After Navy SEAL Jake Harris endures the harrowing siege of his blacksite, he is confronted with a new mission: Move terrorist suspect Amin Mansur from the secure facility to Washington D.C. for interrogation by the government’s top brass. This routing is classified as ‘normal’ but, because this is an action thriller, nothing is routine.
While onboard the aircraft with Harris and Mansur, they are within striking distance of their destination when forces out of nowhere bound them to landing at a relatively lowkey civilian airport. Unfortunately, this willingness puts many things at risk. A group of mercenaries storms the terminal with the goal of taking control of Mansur. In the melee, one Harris must take initiative and come up with decisive solutions if he is to survive.
However, Harris’s mission is more complex than it seems; Tactical Response Unit Operative, Jennifer Lomax, is harboring her own objectives. As performed by Alexis Knapp, she executes the airport assassination as part of a wider plan to obtain critical intel and position Mansur as a geopolitical bargaining chip. This also drags in Michael Jai White’s character, Robert Jackson, a blur clan counter-terrorism specialist, who now faces the dilemma of whether to follow Harris and trust his chaotic personal agenda, or his orders.
Harris, against all odds, must battle through well-armed resistance while defending a group of innocents and an intricate net of deceit if he hopes to stop a devastating radioactive threat from being unleashed on the US.
Scott Adkins plays Jake Harris, the Navy SEAL with an unparalleled pedigree of missions and training who will disappear under unfathomable hurdles. Adkin’s portrayal of Harris is exaggerated, both in his physical appearance and attitude; to the viewer, repetitively over the due course of the film, his rough shouts and anxious words draw many into a passive waiting state.
Robert jackson, a complex blur clan Homeland Agent, is performed by Michael Jai White. Their commanding voice and domineering stature serves to sharpen Adkins’ more subdued body language and tone.
Alexis Knapp’s character, an ruthless intelligence operative known as Jennifer Lomax, blends charm with a propensity for violence, allowing her to stand out as a memorable villain. But her character challenges Harris on an intellectual and physical level, which adds depth to her portrayal beyond the surface of a standard antagonist.
Veteran strategist, and moral compass, Mike Marshall is portrayed by Tom Berenger. He offers crucial intel accompanied by rich lore steeped in a world where trust is an ever shifting construct.
Amin Mansur, the suspect with his own set of secrets, is portrayed by Waleed Elgadi. His character’s motivations shift over the course of the story.
Meena Rayann, Hannah Arterton and Neil Linpow complete the cast and each play significant parts in the overarching narrative about security and intelligence.
Direction and Style
James Nunn, known for his lean, muscular approach to action filmmaking, uses the single take style first introduced in One Shot, where he builds on the concept. Nunn applies seamless editing and clever camera work to simulate what feels like a single, uninterrupted shot encompassing the entirety of the film. The audience is presented with an active viewing experience, as though the viewer, not the protagonist, is short on time to take a breath.
The choreography is particularly precise in the hand to hand violence and combat scenes. Every aspect of the film from the brutal fist fights to the close quariter gun battles are very high energy. Every strike and bullet is clearly captured by the camera thanks to the efforts of Cinematographer Job Reineke, and the editor Liviu Jipescu seamlessly integrates the action into one fluid visual masterpiece.
Capturing everything in real time adds a sense of urgency to the film, but also restricts it in other ways. The film features, some may argue, excessive character development and exposition. While this may appeal to action fans, viewers who enjoy emotionally charged content or examine profound themes might see this as a drawback.
Music and Sound Design
The soundtrack increases the tension by adding hard hitting cuts and cues during popular moments. Austin Wintory’s score features threatening rhythms which increase the level of urgency. Intense closed off situations allow sound design to be extremely effective. Gunfire delivers startling echoes while footfall reverberate throughout vacant terminals. Each breath and grunt from Harris further enhance the atmosphere and his immersion.
Execution and Themes
In addition to showcasing an action sequence, One More Shot is a subtle reflection on trust, loyalty, and the moral dilemmas of war. For instance, Harris is a soldier who has to deal with a crisis of conscience. To whom is he providing protection and for what reasons? Contaminated government officials and the shady politics of intelligence services suggest that the enemy is not always a stranger, and sometimes, the worst dangers are domestic.
With regard to national security policies, Jennifer Lomax’s character is representative of the more complex issues of power because her institutional power paints policy in a different light.
Reception
Audiences as well as critics responded to One More Shot in mixed ways. Many credited the film with successfully capturing and executing a single shot. However, others felt that the narrative was too predictable. Because the action was relentless, there was little room for subtle storytelling, and some critics felt that the dialogue relied too much on stock phrases.
Nonetheless, fans specializing in adrenaline-pumping plots and martial arts shows have been appreciative of Scott Adkins’ acting as well as the unabashed physicality of the stunts in the film. Adkin’s performance bears a measure of authenticity and his sternum-clenching fight scenes, particularly those in cramped spaces like makeshift urban warfare settings, are a joy to watch.
Final Verdict
One More Shot makes it clear what the viewer is in for: a precise real-time action thriller with blurring-fast pacing. It is highly unlikely to satisfy those in search of something akin to a thought provoking story, but in the hands of an action lover, particularly one who enjoys eye-catching fight choreography and skilled direction, it is bound to be enthralling.
It now becomes an escalated sequel to One Shot by adding new overarching threats, grander settings, as well as a deeper conspiracy. For the fans who are only looking for a non-stop thrill ride, One More Shot proves itself as an aggressive contender for the best modern action movies.
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