Shadow Force Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		1.5

Shadow Force Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 4, 2025

Somewhat hilariously, two at least perceived box office disappointments which might arguably be called the "flip side" of each other are being released on the same date on Blu-ray. This film, an undeniable bomb having recouped barely a tenth of its production costs, documents a quasi-married couple with CIA connections and a "particular set of skills" attempting to keep their family from being annihilated. On the other hand, The Amateur, which may not officially show a profit due to the vagaries of Hollywood bean counting, but which at least did top its production costs with ticket sales, deals with a guy with CIA connections who is attempting to develop a "particular set of skills" after his family (or at least his one true love) has already been annihilated. A bit of screenwriting and/or editing subterfuge doesn't immediately disclose the fact that apparently single father Issac Sarr (Omar Sy) and a sniper type named Kyrah Owens (Kerry Washington) are actually a couple who have separated and more or less gone underground in order to protect their darling little boy, Ky (Jahleel Kamara). It turns out both Issac and Kyrah were part of the titular black ops organization, and for reasons that are frankly never satisfactorily explained, their decision to leave has resulted in their former boss Jack Cinder (Mark Strong) wanting to kill them, hence their secretiveness.

When a local robbery alerts Jack to Issac's location, of course the "hunt" for the pair notches up in intensity, with the perhaps laugh out loud accoutrement that Jack is now in charge of the G7, as if that makes him more nefarious. The result is absolutely paint by numbers action, with Issac and Kyrah attempting to take out the henchmen (and henchwomen) assigned to take them (and that aforementioned adorable little boy) out. Any guesses as to what ends up happening? The film pretends it's a high budget globe trotting enterprise, though it was evidently shot almost entirely in Colombia, though that at least does provide some scenic backgrounds for the mayhem.

Shadow Force Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shadow Force is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. As of the writing of this review the IMDb has no technical information, and neither the closing credits roll nor a cursory internet search provides any additional information. This is a perfectly competent digital capture that I suspect had a 2K DI, and unsurprisingly the presentation tends to offer the best detail levels in some of the often quite nice looking brightly lit outdoor scenes. Some of these, as in the calamitous final showdown, can definitely see at least the perception of fine detail encounter some hurdles due to things like whip pans or "jiggly cam". There are also a few "arty" moments, as in the bank robbery scene, where it looks like fish eye lenses have been employed to up the angst level of little Ky. The palette is very nicely suffused for the most part. There are some definite deficits in shadow detail in a number of more dimly lit moments. My score is 4.25.

Shadow Force Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Shadow Force has a nicely immersive Dolby Atmos track that expectedly finds its showiest moments in some of the action set pieces, notably some quasi-chase scenes with various types of both ground and water based vehicles, as well as the knock down, drag out finale that sees everything from hand to hand combat to automatic gunfire eruptions clearly emanating from the surround channels. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.

Shadow Force Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Shadow Force: Declassified is an audio commentary with director / writer Joe Carnahan and editor Kevin Hale.


• Making Shadow Force Ain't Nothing to F*** With (HD; 19:29) is a standard issue EPK with candid footage and brief interviews.


• International Waters: The Locations Behind Shadow Force (HD; 7:49) looks at the film's ostensible globe trotting aspects.


• Isla Gunfight: Final Battle Breakdown (HD; 6:47) deconstructs the climax.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:24)

DVD and digital copies are included. Packaging features a slipcover.

Shadow Force Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I'll simply mention in passing in Grammar (and/or Spelling) Police mode, that Issac should probably be spelled Isaac, in what may at least subliminally suggest a lack of care in some elements of this production. That certainly extends to at times ludicrous story developments that don't especially help the performers attempting to bring some level of competence to the production. Technical merits are solid and for such a complete box office disappointment, this is being packaged with an unusual supply of bonus content, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.