An ensemble story depends on memorable performances and compelling writing.  Neither are found in Thomas J. Churchill’s overexposed, patriotic thriller Nation’s Fire.

Actually, the film’s central performance by Krista Grotte Saxon is the glue that holds Churchill’s film together.  Saxon owns the screen as Gloria, a tough-as-nails Floridian bail bondswoman who is respected by her connections and can hold her own during brawls.  An action franchise will hopefully find Saxon and recruit her.  But in Nation’s Fire, despite her charisma and tough demeanour, Saxon falls victim to the script (which the director penned as well) and the poor characterization that makes her character unremarkable.  She’s surrounded by miscellaneous bikers who all share a passion of solidarity, but each relationship boils down to generic requirements within their gang.  Movie goers don’t believe these people are close.  We simply see people fulfilling obligations. 

It’s not even worth going into detail about the villains considering they’ve been defined in even worse ways.  After all, just like the film’s heroes, they’re just pieces within a plot that conjoins contemporary issues to exploitation cinema.  The results are nothing more than Thomas J. Churchill making tasteless grasps to make a worn-out genre relevant within modern times.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie