WFG RATING: A-

An MFC Global Films production in association with XYZ Films. Directed by Isaac Florentine. Produced by Andre Relis, Aaron Briffa, Jean Pierre Magno, Vadim Fortunin, Alexey Meets, and Vladimir Chistiakov. Written by Jean Pierre Magno. Cinematography by Ericson Core. Editing by Paul Harb.

Stars Frank Grillo, Rhona Mitra, Leeshon Alexander, Joey Ansah, Lee Charles, Mike Moller, Eskinder Tesfay, Mark Strange, Yvonne Mal, and Robert Patrick.

The sole survivor of an ambush goes to great lengths for vengeance in the latest from action auteur Isaac Florentine. 

Ryder is the leader of a band of mercenaries known as the Hounds. However, he has decided to retire, but not before his commanding officer, Colonel Hart, offers him one final assignment. The group is tasked with taking down political opposition and warlords. The assignment involves tracking down and eliminating a Middle Eastern-based warlord. However, upon arriving at their location, the Hounds are ambushed and Ryder becomes the only survivor of the group. 

Six months have passed and Ryder is now a recluse. Learning that Hart had set up the Hounds to fall, he is looking for revenge. He comes across his ex Selina, who has her own group of rebels and offers Ryder to join them. They learn Hart has employed a new group of mercenaries and they are now rogue in an attempt to kill the president of a European country. Ryder decides not only to avenge his fallen brothers, but also has plans to expose Hart for the traitor he has become. He must do so before a massive war breaks out. 

Isaac Florentine is considered not just an action filmmaker, but an action auteur as he has a distinct method when it comes to shooting his brand of action, since his 1987 short film debut Mission Terminator, which led to his work in Hollywood. He helped launch the career of one Scott Adkins with Special Forces and the Undisputed sequel and Ninja franchises. His latest brings us to a throwback of some of his late-90’s works with a B-movie style plot and wild action sequences in the mix.

Frank Grillo continues to show why he is a force to reckon with. He perseveres in any role he tackles and to work with a legend like Florentine, he brings his A-game and then some. Here, he plays the veteran Ryder, the sole survivor of an ambush who at first is at his lowest. However, upon reuniting with Selina, played by Rhona Mitra, he gets a shot at redemption and revenge. Grillo is the embodiment of an actor who can both kick major butt as well as show that emotional darkness that actors playing sole survivors need to be convincing as does Mitra, who combines that emotional aspect while kicking butt.

Robert Patrick once again shows why he is excellent at playing villains. Here, he plays for the commanding officer of the Hounds, who plans to have them all killed for his own personal gain and for the almighty dollar and power. From the moment you see him on screen, you know what’s going to be at stake. He is seen as more of a mastermind willing to betray his own country for his selfishness and has others do the dirty work for him.

Martial arts fans are going to be excited to see Florentine goes old school with shooting his brand of fight scenes. This time with longtime friend David Wald as the choreographer, the fights have that late-90’s Florentine flavor and one particular fight where Mitra’s band of merry men come along to take on a rival faction. And playing these “band of merry men” including powerhouses Joey Ansah, Lee Charles, Mike Moller, and Eskinder Tesfay. Wald definitely makes good use of the trio’s martial arts skills and utilizes them well as well as Grillo’s skills in Jiu-jitsu when it calls for it. Mark Strange even gets in on the action as Santiago. 

Hounds of War seems like a throwback to late 90’s Isaac Florentine territory and that’s not exactly a bad thing at all. Frank Grillo is excellent in the lead, Robert Patrick is once again the seething villain, and David Wald’s fight choreography is exciting to make you root for the good guys, especially with the martial arts cast seen here. If you’re a fan of Florentine’s works, put this on your watchlist.

The film will be released on Digital on September 20.