A war film streaming now is hailed as best written movies “in years” but it divided fans and critics. Kandahar (2023) tells story of undercover CIA operative Tom Wright (played by 300 star Gerard Butler) who is on a dangerous mission in Afghanistan.
When his cover is blown, Wright and his translator Mohammad “Mo” Doud (Navid Negahban) are forced to flee while being hunted down by special forces. The film, directed by Ric Roman Waugh, was given a tough time by some critics, with Eddie Harrison at Film Authority saying it “looks like the wreckage of a much better project; a more-than-watchable star-vehicle, but falling way short of what a gallus unit like Butler should be able to bring to the fray.”
Meanwhile, Mini Anthikad-Chhibber wrote for The Hindu that the action sequences “are not gripping and the quiet moments are as subtle as a battering ram”.
Others were more favourable, with Stephen Romei at The Australian writing that the film “is a competent war action thriller that shows us the fate of the people who were not able to leave when the allied forces did”.
There’s a mixed response among Audience Reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes too. One wrote: “I had high hopes for this one because I’ve missed Gerard Butler but it was a disaster for me. There was no concept but guns and chasing in the dessert. Waste of time.”
However, another said as the reviews were “pretty bad” they “went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Movie was entertaining”.
Another said: “Best movie in months, a must see film.”
A third said: “One of the best written and acted movies I have seen in years. Not too sure what the critics were watching, but this proves they have no idea what they are talking about.
“Truly an enjoyable entertaining movie that tells you some of what was going on in the Middle East over the last 20-30 years!”
Its mixed reception is reflected in its 45% score on the site’s Tomatometer (reflecting the level of positive responses from critics) and an 82% Popcornmeter score, indicating a positive response from general audiences.
Kandahar is streaming on Amazon Prime now.