AKA (2023)

Too much of everything.

AKA is an french action film, with a muscleman at center. That's a traditional setup, and with time, some of them learn the trade.

The trouble is not the acting, lack thereof, but with the script.

It feels like a group of people went script-shopping and said:
We'd like a french action movie, with a tough fighter at the center. He's, uh, to infitrate organised crime. Yeah, organised crime, that's good; drugs and prostitution and that. And add some shady government officials and politicians.
Human angle, we need an human angle. Add something about children and protecting them, that's always welcome. If there's child abuse, only offscreen. And we want french muslims, but the modern depiction, right? A bit about neo-colonialism. And some tragic things happening. And betrayal and a plot twist, and this and that...
and we want some more action, but not too expensive!

The scriptwriters and -doctors did a good job to fit it all into one script they were asked to put in. And the director did the best with what he was given. But watching it, the result feels overloaded. Too many different angles, none played out in-depth. There's excellent movies focusing on two aspects, where this crams in a dozen.

And that's why, in the end, this isn't a satisfying watch. They did all they were supposed to do, but it is too constructed, with too many different tropes and genres combined. (The protagonist being in the learning stage about acting doesn't help either, but he's got the build and muscle.)

It can fill some time, it's not boring, but not convincing either. 6/10

Guess the French was really into giving action films to Netflix this year, given how i just talked about In His Shadow in my last review so the fact that they have been able to do two good action French films in a row here is kinda impressive on Netflix's part. If only that stuck around for a bit more time.
I feel like it struggles balancing all of it's plot points that even a 2 hour runtime isn't enough to let all of the plots breath through some of them does have potential like the undercover cop being set within the crime gang, some of the relationships the main character has between the family members or syndicate developing through the film.
Like we have plots that contain terrorism, crime family, spy finding his soul and a friendship with the boss’s young son. It should work with it's runtime but cannot find a way to let all of these work together effectively.
Shame that the main character isn't interesting to really care about despite the actor's best effort with his performance.
It's whenever it focuses on the action, that's where it does pick up thanks to the cinematography and filming.
Even with it's pacing and writing issues, i was still able to enjoy the film for it's action and cinematography. If you want to do a double feature action film with a taste of the French in there, Netflix is the place for you.

"AKA" mixes action, with a rather scathing commentary on organised private and political crime.

The organised criminal organisation the lead character, a special forces operative, is tasked with infiltrating, conceals a crime, perpetrated by the French political establishment. The question then becomes, who are the bigger criminals?

Underlying this is a commentary on how children are treated by those, at least superficially, claiming the moral high ground.

This is a well made film that combines copious, polished action with a underlying tale on the often opaque line between criminality and the state. In Frances case, its often brutal and yes, criminal role, in nations in Africa.

I will add this is a surprisingly complex, multi layered film, so you really do have to pay attention.

In summary, lots of well paced, polished action, quality acting, combined with complex back story. For my money, a sophisticated, thought provoking watch.