The Beast is one of the few movies that can sincerely sell itself as “full throttle” and “high-octane.”
The film unfolds in real-time, maintaining a relentless pace from the explosive opening scene. Jackson and Kinnaman share the screen almost entirely, with Kinnaman’s Taft bleeding out in the backseat, reminiscent of Mr. Orange in *Reservoir Dogs*. Despite protocol, Jackson’s character puts his life on the line to save Taft, using every tool within The Beast to fend off continuous attacks while keeping Taft conscious.
Jackson’s portrayal of the President is layered with complexity; a Vietnam War veteran, his character battles PTSD and survivor’s guilt. The attack reawakens these inner demons, compounded by the threat to his wife, Rosa, voiced by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, who is also endangered elsewhere in the city. This personal turmoil adds depth to Jackson’s performance, making the President a formidable adversary for the terrorists who have underestimated him.
“Hail to the muthafuckin’ Chief!”—the President was trained to kill, and he’s not backing down.
The film’s setting in Los Angeles transforms into a war-torn battlefield, reminiscent of the intensity found in *Black Hawk Down* or the chaos of *The Purge* and *Grand Theft Auto*. Harlin, alongside screenwriter Umair Aleem, brings to life a gritty, adrenaline-filled narrative that echoes the energy of John Carpenter’s *Assault on Precinct 13* and Walter Hill’s *The Warriors*. The score by Tuomas Kantelinen enhances this atmosphere, drawing inspiration from Carpenter’s iconic *Escape from New York* synth style.
The production utilized an LED stage to shoot the limo scenes, allowing Jackson and Kinnaman to interact with the unfolding chaos realistically. This technique, reminiscent of the Batmobile chase in *The Batman*, includes 360-degree shots that create a vivid sense of space within The Beast.
While *The Beast* doesn’t revolutionize the action-thriller genre, it effectively revives the core elements that make such films engaging. Samuel L. Jackson expertly blends toughness with vulnerability, delivering a performance that anchors this exhilarating return to classic action cinema.
Article Source: www.ign.com
