In the Line of Duty

Aaron Eckhart stars as a heroic cop in a dynamic if all-too familiar action-thriller.

Fair cop: Aaron Eckhart

This is a preposterous premise for a surprisingly enjoyable action-thriller efficiently directed by Steven C Miller. Aaron Eckhart (in a rare leading role) is disgraced cop Frank Penny on a mission to rescue the daughter of the Chief of Police (Giancarlo Esposito), kidnapped by a group of thugs. She is trapped in a box that’s filling with water and time is running out…

Eckhart makes a credible hero despite the fact that his character curiously allows the over ambitious and intrusive reporter Ava Brooks (Courtney Eaton) to join his search. She is a vlogger and is streaming live, watched by millions across the city, including the villains, who consequently know their every step and whereabouts. Ava begins the film as an utterly annoying and self-obsessed reporter who is more interested in her story than the lives of those in danger but unsurprisingly develops a conscience through the proceedings and a bond with Penny in most predictable fashion.

It is fast and furious with well-shot chase sequences but with nothing new that we haven’t seen before.

GEORGE SAVVIDES

Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Ben McKenzie, Giancarlo Esposito, Courtney Eaton, Dina Meyer, Jessica Lu, Jan Jeffcoat, Kaj Goldberg, Elijah Cooper, Gary Peebles, James Hutchison, Betsy Landin, Nikola Shreli, J. Cameron Barnett, Nichelle Williams.

Dir Steven C. Miller, Pro Myles Nestel, Craig Chapman, Skip Williamson, Scott LaStaiti, Tiffany Stone, Martin Sprock, Renee Tab and Christopher Tuffin, Screenplay Jeremy Drysdale, Ph Brandon Cox, Pro Des Niko Vilaivongs, Ed Stan Salfas, Music The Newton Brothers, Costumes Critter Pierce and Bonnie Stauch.

Saban Entertainment/Solution Entertainment Group and Ingenious Media/Hassik Films/Sprocketfeller Pictures/Heavy Dose Studios/Sentient Entertainmen-Signature Entertainment.
99 mins. USA/UK. 2019. Rel: 3 January 2020. Cert. 15.