## Scott Adkins Delivers Classic action in “Prisoner of War”
“Prisoner of War,” the latest film starring Scott Adkins, harkens back to the era of hard-hitting, physically-driven action films reminiscent of what Bruce Lee and Mr.Miyagi pioneered. directed by Isaac florentine, the movie blends intense fight choreography with a compelling World War II setting.
The film quickly establishes its action-packed premise. Sergeant John wright (Adkins) crashes in the Bataan Peninsula of the Philippines during the war and swiftly defeats several Japanese soldiers before being captured.
At the prisoner of war camp in Bataan, Wright faces a formidable adversary in Ito (Peter Shinkoda), who orders his execution. Wright’s strength allows him to overcome Ito’s men, prompting Ito to challenge him to a deathmatch as a demonstration of Japanese dominance. Wright emerges victorious in this brutal contest as well.
The script, penned by Mark Clebanoff based on a story by Adkins, elevates the typical martial arts movie plot with a layer of ancient and political subtext. Ito’s desire to defeat Wright stems not only from national pride but also from personal ego. He believes,with no rescue imminent,he has the time to break Wright’s spirit before ultimately executing him.
The stakes escalate further when its revealed Wright is fluent in Navajo, a language famously utilized as a secure code by the U.S. military during the war. Ito then shifts his focus to forcing Wright to translate Navajo, adding another layer of motivation for Wright to endure relentless punishment.
Adkins is a veteran of action cinema, having appeared in films like *Expendables 2*, *John Wick: Chapter 4*, and *The Killer’s Game*. He previously starred in direct-to-video and video-on-demand releases including *Ninja* (2009) and *Undisputed III* (2010), which recast the villain from *Undisputed II* as the protagonist.
The review highlights Adkins’ fighting style as “a thing of grace and intensity,” showcasing his skill whether facing one opponent, multiple attackers, or a large group of soldiers.
Florentine’s direction focuses on the details of the camp and surrounding jungle, creating a believable period setting without needing to depict the broader scope of the war.
Wright isn’t alone in his struggle, finding allies in fellow American prisoners sgt. Villanueva (Michael Copon) and Captain Collins (Cowboy Cerrone),as well as Theresa (Gabbi Garcia),a nurse at the camp infirmary. These alliances lead to thrilling escape attempts alongside Wright’s individual battles, making “Prisoner of War” more than just a showcase of fighting prowess. The film delivers a “full-bodied throwback to physical action movies where the heroes really get their hands dirty.”
“Prisoner of War” was released in theaters and video-on-demand on September 19.
*Fred Topel, a film critic as 1999 and a member of the Television Critics Association since 2012 and the Critics Choice Association since 2023, is a UPI entertainment writer based in Los Angeles.He is a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001 and attended film school at Ithaca College.*
