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🎬 Overview
📖 Plot
🎯 Production & Release
📺 Reception & Popularity
✅ Pros & Cons
🧠Verdict
🔮 Sequel Potential?
📺 Available To Watch
👉 Final Take
Title: Hidden Strike (also known as Project X‑Traction, SNAFU, or Ex‑Baghdad) (en.wikipedia.org)
Director: Scott Waugh (Need for Speed, Act of Valor) (en.wikipedia.org)
Writers: Arash Amel (en.wikipedia.org)
Stars: Jackie Chan (Luo Feng), John Cena (Chris Van Horne), Pilou Asbæk, Ma Chunrui (en.wikipedia.org)
Runtime: 103 min (en.wikipedia.org)
Language: Mandarin, English
Budget: $80 million (en.wikipedia.org)
Gross: Approximately $2.15 million internationally; limited theatrical run with stronger performance via Netflix (en.wikipedia.org)
Jackie Chan’s ex‑special forces soldier Luo Feng is tasked with escorting civilians from an Iraqi oil refinery under rebel attack. Along the “Highway of Death,” he crosses paths with John Cena’s former Marine turned contractor, Chris Van Horne. Despite initial mistrust, the duo unites to stop a major oil heist and ensure the convoy reaches Baghdad’s Green Zone safely (en.wikipedia.org).
Filmed in China during 2018 (Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Alxa Desert), doubling for Iraq (imdb.com).
Originally planned with Sylvester Stallone opposite Chan; replaced by Cena (en.wikipedia.org).
Release timeline: July 6, 2023 (UAE), July 7 (Turkey/Saudi Arabia), July 28 internationally via Netflix (en.wikipedia.org).
Critical Reviews: Largely negative. Rotten Tomatoes score sits at 24% (based on 17 critics) (en.wikipedia.org).
Collider called it a “forgettable, tedious film” with poor action and CGI (collider.com).
Empire described it as “not lodged in the memory” and teen-fiction-like (empireonline.com).
Some critics, like Geek Culture, offered mild praise for the chemistry, giving it around 6/10 .
Audience Response:
Mixed. IMDb shows a rating of 5.4/10 across ~21k votes (imdb.com).
Streaming Success:
Became Netflix’s #1 movie worldwide during its launch weekend (53 countries including the U.S.) (en.wikipedia.org).
Garnered about 56.8 million views in its first 28 days (en.wikipedia.org).
Pros
Two charismatic action stars with contrasting styles—Chan’s parkour-fu meets Cena’s brute strength (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
Some standout stunts and desert-set vehicle sequences, evoking Mad Max-style energy (looper.com).
Humorous moments and a post-credits blooper reel reminiscent of Rush Hour (wherever-i-look.com).
Cons
Over-reliance on CGI and green screens that feel unconvincing (wherever-i-look.com).
Weak and predictable storyline with minimal emotional resonance .
Limited chemistry until halfway through, according to critics .
Hidden Strike is best enjoyed as light popcorn entertainment. If you're after impressive stunts and enjoy the dynamic duo of Jackie Chan and John Cena paired in an unlikely team-up, it may satisfy that craving. But if you're seeking a memorable plot or polished action film, reviewers suggest revisiting their earlier classics (Rush Hour, Suicide Squad) or other action-adventure favorites.
A mid-credits scene hints at future missions for Feng and Horne, though a sequel’s likelihood remains uncertain due to mixed reception and its delayed release (wherever-i-look.com).
Now streaming on Netflix globally since July 28, 2023 (en.wikipedia.org).
Hidden Strike may not redefine action cinema, but it delivers on charismatic leads, desert mayhem, and occasional laughs. Watch it for the spectacle—just don’t expect a groundbreaking cinematic experience.
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