Panama - Panama (2022)

In 'Panama' (2022), director Mark Neveldine, known for his kinetic and often chaotic style, attempts to evoke the gritty, no-holds-barred sensibility of 80s geopolitical thrillers. The film plunges us into a world of mercenaries and covert operations in 1989 Panama, against a tense Cold War backdrop.

Cole Hauser delivers a predictably stoic performance as a former Marine, anchoring the narrative with his gruff determination. Meanwhile, Mel Gibson, though in a more limited role, injects a necessary gravitas and enigmatic presence. While the film’s visual aesthetic hints at a neo-noir homage, Neveldine's signature cinematic techniques, usually a hallmark of his previous work, feel somewhat muted and inconsistent here. Despite its potential to be a standout action-thriller, 'Panama' ultimately struggles with narrative coherence and execution, leaving it as a rather conventional entry in a genre it aspires to transcend.