Take Cover (2024) Dir. Nick McKinless

Action and stunt star (and Midlands-born and raised) Scott Adkins returns this month with another shooting and punch-up extravaganza in the form of assassin-focused flick Take Cover.

John Wick 4 actor Scott plays Sam Lorde, a sniper who works with his friend Ken (Jack Parr), whose messed-up last job leads to him being a target himself.

The opening delivers some good banter between Sam and Ken before moving to a forest location where Sam is brooding after the botched job. The action clichés are there - a “retired” assassin, some introspective log-chopping and moody alcohol-drinking are shown before he sees… that’s right…a lone wolf! Yes, it’s that type of movie.

Despite these, the conversations between the two bros is a highlight. Hitmen verbally “sniping” at each other is a great set up and dynamic, and Adkins and Parr do really well with this back-and-forth, adding an entertaining tongue-in-cheek aspect to proceedings. 

And as Sam inevitably comes out of retirement they head to a posh hotel room and in their paranoia close the curtains as protection. Their worries turn out to be justified though, as after a visit from two call girls they are all pinned down in the room as sniper shots hail through the hotel windows.

Obviously it’s no Citizen Kane, but positively - and thankfully - it doesn’t have the laziness of a straight-to-dvd Steven Seagal vehicle either. It avoids CGI and green-screen and the stunts and shooting have a distinct visceral feel. It also uses the budget limitations well and locking down the action to one location has a Free Fire (2016) vibe that keeps things intense and focused.

But let’s not over-egg it. It’s not exactly Fincher’s The Killer and my biggest wish is just to have a scene or two that stepped away from the genre clichés. The reluctant hero coming out of retirement for one last job has been exhausted.

And despite the central idea being a huge positive, there’s missed opportunities to use the hotel to create inventive moments. Some crossfire with room service bellboys, fire alarms, cleaners, keycards, luggage, air conditioners and many other things could have added another Trip Advisor star to the film. However, they do eventually use the lift for some much-needed cramped fisticuffs.

Alice Eve’s supporting role is a tad wasted too - mostly on the phone like a cameo from Cameron Mitchell - and the action is sparse for the first 30 minutes. But to be fair, this sort of movie isn’t always my cup of tea, but I feel fans of the stars and specifically the genre would lap it up.

If you are into films with classic two-word action titles (this could have easily been named Kill Shot, Murder Point, Code Sniper, Target Fire, Cross Trigger, Bullet Stalker, Blast Force etc) then Take Cover delivers all the necessary beats you’ll be looking for. And with likeable characters at the forefront, it also successfully adds a touch of superb star power to the pumping violence.

Michael Sales

Take Cover is available on Digital Platforms and DVD 14 October. Distributed by Signature Entertainment

And check out our interview with Scott here who discusses his career and Midlands life:

https://www.midlandsmovies.com/grab-a-camera-and-do-it-yourself-that-s-the-best-film-school-you-can-have-interview-with-scott-adkins