Not a truly terrible film... a decent enough watch if you're a bit bored one night... but to see Dominic Cooper (who was so incredible in 'The Devils Double', a performance that should have won him many awards!) in such an insignificant film... bit depressing. Apparently he came on board at the last minute when Henry Cavill dropped out. Hey, actors gotta work! Hope the cheque was big enough!

This review of Stratton is spoiler free** (2/5)AFTER HIS ACTION packed debut 1997s Con Air British director Simon West is no stranger to knowing his way around a gun, with a few explosions and a couple of car chases for a measure of the same. All of which can be seen in his latest Stratton when a British Special Boat Service Commando John Stratton (Dominic Cooper) gets more than he bargained for when he receives a terrorist call. Adapted by former Special Boat Service Commando Duncan Falconer from his own bestselling novel The Hostage you'd think there should be at least little insight to original creation from the material handed to West. Well, there isn't; after a couple of clunky action scenes and a beach car chase there's little else going on when the film leads into half an hour of nothing really happening. There's a set-up mission, a meeting with his MI6 operative (Nielsen in a wasted role) a meet with his oldest friend (Jacobi). And lastly there are a few flashbacks which have a try for rubbery sentimentality. The rest is bombarded by West's poor direction, clunky editing and a pedestrian script which offers little surprises. West misguidedly moves his camera through worldwide locations offering nothing but a dysfunctional plot to kill Thomas Kretschmann's terrorist, who's always one step ahead of the team. Warren Davis II's and Falconer's screenplay is nothing special either, sure it tries to be intelligent and entertaining but after a few convoluted ideas it's left underwhelming and offers little surprise - also with a predictable last minute thrill it just feels rubbery and empty. Stratton isn't all bad, where it lets off a shine is in the spectacular vehicular warfare sequences - a third act boat chase on the Thames and a notably original bus vs. car chase which maintains little suspense for creativity. The performances are okay too, Cooper is solid as the sharp shooting soldier who doesn't give up and Nielsen, Jacobi, Tom Felton and Humans' Gemma Chan do their best to give solid support throughout his mission. However, these are sadly squashed by awful ideas. And really the sad truth is once the notable vehicle moments run their due time it just feels bare. At 95 minutes in length it's not exactly long but due to West's misguided direction, the poor editing, slow clunky action scenes and a pedestrian script it feels like an eternity you'll be left feeling dumber and tired after this. You'll be begging for your money back.VERDICT Cooper gives it his all but it's not enough to save this silly, loud and dysfunctional actioner that's filled with unfinished plot points and a predictably empty story.

I think reviewers are being a little harsh about this film. It's an action thriller featuring the SBS, MI6 etc. Mainly British cast with a couple of token Americans. Gemma Chan is superb, with a different actress her role wouldn't be memorable but she really helps things along. Derek Jacobi, unsurprisingly good. Unlike many reviews, I think Dominic Cooper did a good job, especially given the lack of time he had to prepare for this. Connie Nielsen however was an odd choice, her posh British accent varied in intensity and felt awkward. You can't compare this to a big budget Bond/Bourne/Mission Impossible, but I found it entertaining.

Honestly this movie just felt like it was ticking off a checklist. Gun shoot out. check. Car chase. check. Underwater scene. check. It just kept going. I went into the film with a good expectation especially from such a well known cast, but it fell flat. No chemistry among the cast, Dominic Cooper just didn't have the presence or physicality you would expect of a SBS Agent. The villain was underwhelming and even at the end of the film I'm still not sure what the motive was.Even with all the great locations and scenery, it couldn't carry the bland and unimaginative story line. Do not watch.