“Overrun” might have the worse film poster that I’ve ever seen and if there is an award for that kind of esthetic, then this wins hands down. This is the director’s Josh Tessier’s debut action-thriller feature which propels us into the life of Marcus Lombardi (Omid Zadler), a former military extraction specialist hired by Ray (Robert Miano) to infiltrate the mansion of Russian Mobster Arkadi Dubkova (Bruce Dern). His job is to extract an important briefcase and deliver it to Ray.
Remember this is an action film and so there is no surprise that there is a double-cross game in the mix which happens when Marcus meets up with the corrupt detective Ed Dobbs (William Katt) for the handoff. Instead of tossing him the required briefcase, Ed murders Dubkova’s son, Yuri (Nick Benseman), in front of Marcus (a witness) and proceeds to frame him for it but wait, this wasn’t his idea, he’s following Ray’s orders. But Marcus doesn't let little things spoil his world he gets the upper hand and snatches the briefcase.
What next? Think, this is an action-thriller, so of course, Marcus is now in the wind. Problem is that Ray (that rascal) still wants that darn briefcase and kidnaps Marcus’ sister, Reyna (Chelsey Goldsmith) because he’s betting that he actually loves his sister and will return the item. Ok, let’s see. To keep the drama going forward Dubkova puts a hit out on Marcus for $1 million, or $2 million, if brought back alive. Are you keeping up, because there is more in this mash-up of greedy bad guys? Blake Finning (Johnny Messner), the somewhat dim-witted police detective is in over his head as he begins to investigate Yuri’s murder. To make things spicy is that Blake used to date Reyna and doesn’t fall for Marcus’ bogus story about the frame-up because frankly, he has a very bad past.
Hopefully, you are counting because there are four assassins after an innocent Marcus. He finally enlists tech-specialist Auggie (Jack Griffo) and the junkyard owner Doc (Nick Turturro). Poor good guy Blake is just trying to do his job and is hunting Marcus along with his partner, Detective Walsh (Chris Tallman).
Though incredibly violent, Overrun is just good light-action fun; emphasis on light. There is a lot of gunplay, but the real action is in the up-close hand-to-hand combat. Omid Zadler looks real good punching and stabbing his way out of messes. But, again, there’s blood but light-action blood.
As all crimes go, a double-cross occurs when Marcus meets up with the corrupt detective Ed Dobbs (William Katt) for the handoff. Instead of giving over the briefcase, Ed murders Dubkova’s son, Yuri (Nick Benseman), in front of Marcus and proceeds to frame him for it… all at Ray’s request. But Marcus gets the upper hand and takes the briefcase.
Now Marcus is on the run. Ray still wants the briefcase and kidnaps Marcus’ sister, Reyna (Chelsey Goldsmith), to ensure he turns it in. Next, Dubkova puts a hit out on Marcus for $1 million, or $2 million, if brought back alive. Then there’s Blake Finning (Johnny Messner), the unwitting police detective assigned to investigate Yuri’s murder. To complicate things further, Blake used to date Reyna and doesn’t believe Marcus’ story about the frame-up because of his checkered past.
Now with four assassins after him, Marcus has to prove his innocence with the help of tech-specialist Auggie (Jack Griffo) and street-smart junkyard owner Doc (Nick Turturro). Then there’s good guy Blake, who is just doing his duty by hunting Marcus along with his more pleasant-mannered partner, Detective Walsh (Chris Tallman).
“Overrun” is packed with action film cliche and mismatched casting. For example actor Bruce Dern, who plays a Russian mob boss, has no accent or language facility but his son does. I will admit that the hitmen are colorful: Noah Felder, Michael Wayne Foster, Kevin Makely, Monette Moio) while the other characters, are rather bland but they fit.
This is a violent movie with a lot of gunplay, I can’t say that this is a good film. I lean into the poster, which I still believe is one of the worse film posters that I’ve seen in a long, long time — maybe, ever.
Rating: unrated, graphic violence
Starring Omid Zader, Johnny Messner, William Katt, Jack Griffo, Robert Miano,
Chelsey Goldsmith, Haley Strode, Nicholas Turturro, and Bruce Dern
Directed by Josh Tessier, script by Roberto Ahumada, Victoria González, and Craig R. Key. A Strike Force release.
Running time: 1:49
Now playing on VOD Platforms: AMAZON PRIME, VUDU, Itunes, Fandango, Youtube, Google play.
DVD November 16th in Walmarts nationwide.
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