Land of Bad 2024
Directed by
William Eubank
Made by
Volition Media Partners
Plot Summary
The Sulu Sea is notorious for harboring some of the most violent extremist factions in Southeast Asia, leading to a continuous battle between intelligence agencies and these groups through covert operations. One such operation is launched from the Palawan Air Base in the Philippines.
In the midst of this turmoil, Captain Eddie “Reaper” Grimm (Russell Crowe), a US Air Force drone pilot, finds himself supporting a vital mission alongside Staff Sergeant Nia Branson (Chika Ikogwe). They provide essential air support to a US Army Delta Force team tasked with rescuing a CIA spy who had been gathering intelligence on Alexander Petrov, a nefarious Russian arms dealer and former KGB operative. Among the Delta Force team are Sergeant JJ Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), who functions as the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), and Sergeant Abell (Luke Hemsworth), guiding grim military operations from above.
As they embark on this perilous mission, Nia aims to prepare for her own wedding, hoping for Eddie to walk her down the aisle. However, their plans are complicated by Eddie’s ongoing commitments and interruptions. Meanwhile, Eddie juggles communications with his pregnant wife, Lucy, ensuring her sister is ready to rush her to the hospital if labor begins while he is on duty. Unfortunately, leaving his phone accessible to others during the mission room’s intense focus proves to be yet another challenge.
Once deployed, the team makes their way to the target area, navigating 8 kilometers across treacherous terrain. Just as they near their objective, a catastrophic systems malfunction disables the drone’s visual connection to the control room, leaving Eddie and Kinney blind to enemy positions. In a scramble to fix the drone, they are compelled to retreat back to base.
Upon repairs, the drone returns to the air just in time for the team to identify both Petrov and Saeed Hashimi, the head of Abu Sayyaf, who is engaged in a dangerous transaction for weapons. The situation escalates dramatically when Hashimi resorts to horrific violence, prompting the team to request immediate airstrikes. Just as Eddie prepares to assist, a firefight erupts, leaving Kinney as seemingly the lone survivor in a desperate situation.
Through relentless communication, Eddie guides Kinney to an extraction point while dodging hostile forces. In a tense climax, Kinney falls victim to capturing terrorists, but a twist unfolds as his comrade Master Sergeant John “Sugar” Sweet emerges alive to rescue him, sharing dire news about other teammates taken prisoner.
Utilizing Sweet’s radio, Kinney coordinates a series of bombings against the Abu Sayyaf base while grappling with his own imminent peril as superiors demand his and Eddie’s withdrawal from the mission due to duty hour limits. As chaos ensues, Sweet is tragically killed in the initial blasts, and Kinney manages to save himself amid the impending bombings and chaos.
Even after the waves of bombings, Kinney’s fight for survival is far from over. Captured again, he uncovers a means of escape and contacts Grimm, who is oblivious due to personal distractions at the grocery store. Ultimately, with swift action, Grimm races against time to save his comrades, culminating in a gripping rescue that highlights both the intense pressures faced by military personnel and the impact of distractions during critical operations.
As they finally return from this harrowing ordeal, Eddie expresses his frustrations to his superiors, lamenting how close they came to losing lives due to negligence. In an emotional conclusion, he finds solace with Branson, agreeing to walk her down the aisle and sharing a dance, amidst the echoes of chaos left behind.
Timeline
The Sulu Sea Operations
The Sulu Sea is known for its violent extremist factions, which have led to various covert operations by intelligence agencies. These missions are crucial for national security and showcase the challenges faced by military personnel in the region.
Mission Planning at Palawan Air Base
A critical mission is launched from Palawan Air Base in the Philippines aimed at rescuing a CIA spy who has been gathering intelligence on Alexander Petrov. The planning involves coordination between the US Air Force and the US Army's Delta Force.
Eddie and Nia Prepare for the Mission
Captain Eddie Grimm and Staff Sergeant Nia Branson gear up for their vital air support mission. Amid the preparations, Nia is anxious about her upcoming wedding and hopes Eddie can walk her down the aisle, but their mission complicates things.
Eddie's Family Commitments
As the mission approaches, Eddie juggles communications with his pregnant wife, Lucy. He arranges for her sister to take her to the hospital if labor begins while he is on duty, adding emotional pressure during the intense operation.
Deployment to the Target Area
The Delta Force team embarks towards their target, traversing 8 kilometers of dangerous terrain. Their mission is critical, yet the challenges of navigating such hostile ground increase their risk of ambush.
Drone Malfunction
As the team nears their objective, a catastrophic systems malfunction occurs, disabling the drone's visual connection. Eddie and Sergeant JJ Kinney scramble to restore control, but they are forced to retreat, illustrating the high-stakes nature of their work.
Identifying the Target
After repairs, the drone returns to the air, allowing the team to identify Petrov and Saeed Hashimi. The situation turns dire as Hashimi's violence prompts a request for immediate airstrikes to protect the mission and the team.
Firefight Erupts
A sudden firefight breaks out just as Eddie prepares to assist ground forces. Sergeant Kinney finds himself in a precarious situation where he must navigate through enemy fire, leaving him seemingly the lone survivor.
Kinney's Extraction
Through intense communication, Eddie guides Kinney towards an extraction point while dodging hostile forces. Despite the chaos, Kinney faces capture but is assisted by Master Sergeant John Sweet, who shares critical information about their teammates.
Coordination of Bombings
Using Sweet's radio, Kinney coordinates bombings against the Abu Sayyaf base while battling time constraints imposed by their superiors. The situation escalates when Sweet is tragically killed during the initial blasts, increasing Kinney's urgency.
Kinney's Struggle for Survival
Even after the bombings, Kinney's ordeal continues as he is captured again. He manages to uncover a way to escape, revealing his resilience amidst chaotic circumstances and further complicating Eddie's ability to assist.
Grimm’s Race Against Time
While at the grocery store, Eddie is oblivious to the unfolding crisis. Once he is alerted, he races against time to save his comrades, reflecting the personal distractions that can impact critical military operations.
Rescue Operation
As Eddie orchestrates a rescue, the operation showcases the intense pressure faced by military personnel. He successfully saves Kinney, epitomizing the coordination and bravery required during such high-stakes missions.
Frustrations with Command
Returning from the mission, Eddie confronts his superiors, expressing his frustrations over the near loss of lives due to negligence. This moment reflects the emotional toll and accountability experienced by military leaders during operations.
Finding Solace After Chaos
In the aftermath, Eddie finds emotional solace with Nia, agreeing to walk her down the aisle. This moment of reprieve amidst the chaos emphasizes the personal costs that military operations impose on service members and their families.
Characters
Captain Eddie 'Reaper' Grimm
Eddie is a dedicated US Air Force drone pilot entangled in a life-and-death mission. While focused on his duties, he grapples with personal distractions, particularly concerning his pregnant wife and wedding plans for his colleague, showcasing his commitment to both his job and relationships.
Staff Sergeant Nia Branson
Nia is a determined and resilient air support officer who shares a close bond with Eddie. Aiming to prepare for her wedding while serving in intense conditions, her character represents the struggle of maintaining personal aspirations amidst the chaos of military life.
Sergeant JJ Kinney
A skilled Joint Terminal Attack Controller, JJ fights to maintain communication with his team amidst perilous circumstances. His character embodies courage and desperation as he goes to great lengths to ensure the safety of his comrades during a chaotic mission.
Sergeant Abell
Sergeant Abell plays a crucial role in guiding the operation from above, bringing tactical expertise to the mission. His character reflects the weight of command responsibilities and the urgency of providing accurate support during crisis situations.
Setting
Time period
The movie unfolds during a present-day conflict involving global security threats, particularly focusing on the fight against terrorism in Southeast Asia. The narrative highlights the ongoing struggles of military personnel in executing intelligence-driven operations amidst personal challenges.
Location
Sulu Sea, Palawan Air Base, Philippines
The Sulu Sea is known for its turbulent waters and as a hotspot for extremist factions, making it a critical area for military operations. Palawan Air Base serves as a vital staging ground for US forces, offering strategic support for missions aimed at countering terrorism in the region.
Themes
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Conflict
The film delves into the complexities of modern warfare where intelligence and covert operations clash with personal commitments. It portrays the emotional toll on military personnel as they balance high-stakes missions against their own lives and relationships.
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Teamwork
Through the collaboration of drone pilots and ground troops, the story emphasizes the importance of unity in overcoming adversity. The characters must rely on each other's skills and communication to navigate dangerous situations, showcasing the essence of camaraderie in warfare.
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Sacrifice
The theme of sacrifice is prevalent as characters face life-threatening situations, highlighting their willingness to risk everything for one another. It reflects on the emotional struggles of leaving loved ones behind while involved in dangerous operations.
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