“The Shepherd Code: Road Back” Review: French Action Film Sequel Struggles to Find its Footing
The sequel to last year’s straight-to-streaming “The Shepherd Code” has arrived in UK cinemas and on digital platforms,but critics suggest the microbudget vengeance-oriented beat-em-up falls short of its potential. Starring and co-directed by French martial artist Alan Delabie, who reprises his role as assassin Alex “the Shepherd” Lapierre, the film follows his continued attempts to leave his past behind - with predictable complications.
The review notes a disparity between the film’s locations - including Portugal, paris, Los Angeles, and London – and its overall production quality, which is described as resembling “home movies” rather than polished action flicks. Despite location shooting, the film is hampered by “copious dead air and abundant dead wood,” drawing comparisons to Michael Flatley’s “Blackbird.”
While Delabie possesses “some sort of screen presence,” the script is criticized for its slow pacing,taking 30 minutes to reach its first fight scene. The arrival of Shaina West as a potential ally, and a surprising “Frozen” reference (“in the words of elsa, you need to let that shit go”), are noted as minor highlights in an otherwise “burly fumble.”
“The shepherd Code: Road back” is in UK cinemas from September 19th and available on digital platforms from October 9th.
