Gerard Butler continues his streak of superior action films such as “CopShop” and “Plane” with his newest film (which he is a producer on) “Kandahar.” Although sometimes the tangled web of political groups inside Afghanistan, the Muslim world, and the spy world can be hard to follow, the movie offers excellent action sequences. The picture successfully walks the tightrope of keeping the audience guessing as to whether or not the two main protagonists will survive.

The first set-piece is in Iran. Tom Harris (Gerard Butler) and his associate Oliver (Tom Rhys Harries) are posing as telephone repairman near a nuclear facility in Qom, Iran. In reality, they are rigging the communications system to deliver a virus that will cause the entire operation to explode. After they leave the site, it detonates in a spectacular implosion.

Still in Iran, Tom receives a phone call from his soon-to-be ex-wife. She wants him to come home for their daughter’s graduation in London. Tom is dismayed to hear that she already is seeing someone. He offers the excuse that he is never around due to the nature of his secretive work.

Tom flies to Dubai where he meets his handler Roman (Travis Fimmel). Roman convinces him with a huge stack of cash to undertake another gig. He would travel to Herat, Afghanistan. From there he would cross into Iran to sabotage more nuclear material of that nation. It is supposed to be an in-and-out operation that will give him time to attend his daughter’s graduation.

We see another person, Mohammed (Navid Negahban) aka Mo, arrive at the airport in Herat. He is going to be the translator for Tom on his mission.

A world away, a reporter (Nina Toussaint-White) is given leaked information by a Pentagon whistleblower which exposes the Iran nuclear operation. She is being monitored by Iranian intelligence who then abduct her. They reveal to the world that Tom and Oliver were the agents involved in the operation.

Now multiple governments want to get their hands on Tom. The Pakistanis want to sell to the highest bidder. Iran wants him for obvious reasons. Various factions in Afghanistan also are willing to capture him for sale.

Tom is told that his cover is blown. The U.S. government, in true movie fashion, cannot extricate him from this delicate situation. He and Mo have to make it to far-off Kandahar to board a British cargo plane to make it out of the country.

From this point in the film, an extended series of car chases and road-trip bonding between Tom and Mo occur. In particular they are being pursued by an Iranian intelligence officer, Farzad (Bahador Foladi), and his team as well as by Pakistani operative Kahil (Ali Fazal).

Along the way there are vehicle exchanges, a battle with a helicopter, and a reunion with an old Tajik warlord buddy of Tom.

Will Mo and Tom escape?

As action films go, this one has some interesting scenes. The implosion at the nuclear plant is a masterpiece of visual effects. In the fight with the helicopter, Tom uses night-vision goggles. These are portrayed in greyscale which provides excellent contrast in a darker setting. There is one sequence that is the definition of “shock and awe.”

The credits state that the film was shot entirely in Saudi Arabia. There are some truly beautiful rock formations in the desert in this nation if this is true. When we see various cityscapes in Iran, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, I wonder what cities were used in Saudi Arabia for these settings.

The cinematography is a highlight of the picture. The dark scenes are not too dark so they should transfer well to DVD or to a streaming screen. There is significant overhead footage which provides a break from the 2-D linear view of standard shots. I already have mentioned the use of the night-vision greyscale.

I also enjoyed the music. It is driving when it needs to be but not overwhelming. I actually liked the occasional overlay of melancholy songs that accompanied some scenes.

The movie’s commentary on a divided Afghanistan and the shifting allegiances in that part of the world is subtle and apt. It is hard to imagine having to survive in a country that is so torn by rival interpretations of the Koran and by competing political ideologies. The tenuousness of life is reinforced as we see bodies hanging from a crane or lying against a wall after their execution.

Tom notes at one point that wars are no longer fought to be won. This encapsulates the fact that he, and in particular his interpreter, are left to hang in the wind once his liability exceeds his worth. It’s not “leave no one behind” but rather “you are on your own.”

It was a little difficult at times to know which faction was which. But really the essence of the picture is Tom and Mo vs. the world, so this is not that important to the film’s raison d’etre. I can’t comment on the ending without giving away spoilers, but I will say that it could have used some work.

I want to give particular props to three of the actors in the film. Negahban as Mo gives a nuanced portrayal of a man returning to the country which he abandoned but still feels a connection to. He effortlessly portrays emotions such as frustration, anger, and sadness.

Fazal as Kahil is given several scenes that stand out. His work with an Afghani faction shows his nuanced view of the Koran and the PR damage being done in Afghanistan by the Taliban. He is more worldly and anxious for a change to a more serene location.

Fimmel as Roman also is given lots to work with. As someone who has converted to Islam, he is different than your usual handler. He is still of the world he came from but also a more satisfied person in his newfound faith. He is resourceful and does unexpected things.

If you like shootouts and car chases, this is the movie for you. It delivers on the action. I would not recommend this for young children.

Four out of five stars

In KANDAHAR, Tom Harris (Gerard Butler), an undercover CIA operative, is stuck deep in hostile territory in Afghanistan. After his mission is exposed, he must fight his way out, alongside his Afghan translator, to an extraction point in Kandahar, all whilst avoiding elite enemy forces and foreign spies tasked with hunting them down.

Starring: Gerard Butler, Navid Negahban, Ali Fazal, Travis Fimmel, Elnaaz Norouzi, Bahador Foladi
Directed By: Ric Roman Waugh
Written By: Mitchell LaFortune, Ric Roman Waugh