Review by Jon Donnis
"Armor," directed by Justin Routt, is a 2024 action thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: a straightforward, fast-paced ride. The film follows James Brody (Jason Patric) and his son Casey (Josh Wiggins), who are transporting millions of dollars in an armoured truck. When their truck is ambushed by a team of thieves led by the menacing Rook (Sylvester Stallone), the pair find themselves trapped in a precarious situation. The movie builds tension quickly as father and son are forced to outwit and outgun their attackers in a desperate attempt to survive.
The plot is simple, which is both a strength and a weakness. At a tight 85 minutes, "Armor" keeps things moving quickly and never overstays its welcome. It's an unpretentious action flick that knows exactly what it is. The performances from Patric and Stallone are solid, with Patric giving a believable portrayal of a father willing to do anything to protect his son. Stallone, while clearly phoning it in, still manages to bring some of his trademark menace to the role of Rook, though it's clear he was probably in and out of his scenes in record time. There's also a slight twist at the end that, while far-fetched, still manages to bring a smile to your face.
However, the film isn't without its flaws. The most glaring issue is the plot's occasional lack of logic. At one point, Brody escapes the truck via a hatch, sets a bad guy on fire, then climbs back in, but somehow the villains don't think to open the hatch themselves. Instead, they go for the more complicated option of drilling through the back of the truck. This kind of head-scratching moment appears more than once, making you question the intelligence of the antagonists. These little lapses in common sense could be infuriating for viewers.
Despite these issues, "Armor" is an enjoyable enough action thriller for what it is: a low-budget, no-frills film. It won't win any awards, but it delivers enough tension and excitement to hold your attention for its short runtime. If you lower your expectations and don't mind a few absurd plot points, you'll find it to be a perfectly decent watch. As far as action thrillers go, it's a generous 6 out of 10 from me.
Out Now on Digital
Amazon - https://amzn.to/4gZLZx5
Apple TV - https://apple.co/3PmIDsw
