It follows Avery Graves as she is blackmailed by terrorists into betraying her own country to save her kidnapped husband.
Ah, Canary Black. Sounds like a hipster cocktail you’d order at a bar that serves everything in mason jars and calls their bartenders "mixologists," right? But nope, it’s the latest spy-action movie that parachutes into the genre and lands… well, let’s just say it didn’t stick the landing, but at least the chute opened. Starring Kate Beckinsale, Rupert Friend, and the late, great Ray Stevenson, this flick had all the ingredients for a high-flying adventure, but instead, it occasionally sputters like an engine in desperate need of a tune-up.
The Plot
The movie follows Avery Graves (Kate Beckinsale), who is blackmailed by terrorists into betraying her own country to save her kidnapped husband. That’s right, folks—another "reluctant hero saving their loved one" story. It’s basically Taken, except with less Liam Neeson growling into phones and more Kate Beckinsale running in impractical heels. And let’s not forget the world-ending MacGuffin—the always convenient doomsday device—that everyone and their mother is scrambling to stop. Because apparently, terrorists have nothing better to do than threaten global annihilation like they’re trying to win a supervillain of the year award.
What I Liked
First things first: Kate Beckinsale. Even when the movie stumbles, Kate is there looking like she just stepped off the cover of a high-fashion spy magazine. The action scenes? Decent. Not mind-blowing, but hey, they’ll keep your popcorn-munching hands busy.
And Ray Stevenson—oh, Ray. One of his last roles, and you can tell he gave it his all. There’s a certain gravitas he brings, even when the script doesn’t always deserve it. It’s bittersweet to watch, knowing we won’t see more of his talent.
What I Disliked
Now, here’s where things get dicey. Let’s start with the action choreography. Look, I’m all for strong female leads, but watching petite Kate Beckinsale take down large, muscle-bound goons in hand-to-hand combat is about as believable as my gym membership being "active." Suspension of disbelief is one thing; outright defying physics is another.
And then there’s the predictability. Canary Black plays it safer than a cat walking across a tightrope over a pit of angry dogs. Every twist feels like it came pre-approved by a focus group that’s terrified of upsetting anyone. And do we really need to leave everything open for a sequel? Hollywood, just because you can make a trilogy doesn’t mean you should.
The world-ending stakes are another cliché I could do without. How about a spy movie where the bad guys are after, I don’t know, something more grounded? Like the last carton of oat milk or an exclusive password to Elon Musk’s Wi-Fi. Just once, I’d like the fate of the world to take a backseat to something quirky.
Final Thoughts
While Canary Black doesn’t exactly reinvent the spy-action genre, it’s not a total disaster either. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a fast-food burger—predictable, a bit greasy, but satisfying enough if you’re not expecting gourmet. Kate Beckinsale is great eye candy, the action is serviceable, and Ray Stevenson’s presence adds a touch of class. But the film’s insistence on safe storytelling and overused tropes keeps it from soaring.
Rating: 6.5/10
It’s a watchable, albeit flawed, entry in the genre. Just don’t expect to be blown away—unless you’re standing too close to the conveniently-timed explosion.
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