Boon – Review
Screen favourite Neal McDonough (Captain America: The First Avenger, Minority Report) is back as cold-blooded killer Boon, in the brand new, all-action sequel to the acclaimed Red Stone, but this time he’s hellbent on making amends for his dark past.
Helmed by Derek Presley (Whitetail, Red Stone) and co-written/co-produced by McDonough, this high- octane actioner is packed with thrills and violence a-plenty and features a stellar cast. It arrives on digital this May courtesy of 101 Films.
Ruthless, cold-blooded killer Nick Boon is on the run. He’s fled the evil crime syndicate he worked for and is now a wanted man with a bounty on his head. Not only is he trying to outrun his enemies… he’s also trying to escape his bloody and brutal past.
Spending his days hiding out in a remote area of the Pacific Northwest, Boon soon crosses paths with Catherine (Christiane Seidel), a widowed preacher who’s trying to protect herself and her son Elijah from a fearsome criminal kingpin (Tommy Flanagan) and his callous crew.
As Boon and Catherine try to support each other, Boon finds himself once again embroiled in the criminal underworld he was so desperate to leave behind… but he must face the stone-cold reality – the only true way he can protect Catherine and Elijah is by doing what he does best… killing.
I hadn’t seen Red Stone and so was completely unaware of Boon, apart from the 1980’s Michael Elphick TV series “Hi Ho Silver. Here come the Lone Ranger. He’s riding on down. To rescue me” which is absolutely nothing like this, so it was great that it starts with the FBI agent looking for him getting given the low down on Boon, which gives people who missed the first film the background we need. Concise and to the point.
With this, Boon reminded me a bit of Jack Reacher only not 6′ 5″ and 250lb. The film could come straight out of a Lee Child novel actually, which is no bad thing.
We quickly see how Boon is well versed in dealing with problems as he is followed by Jason Scott Lee, who isn’t in the rest of the film to give you a clue.
Injured, Boon wakes up in the home of Catherine and Elijah and she’s patched up his wounds (Because nobody in these places finds shot people on their property and calls the police and an ambulance)
Turns out that they are being made to turn a blind eye to the workings of the Flanagan shaped bad guy and his gang who are using the tunnels under the house to run guns or something. Pryce and Bud are the main henchmen left in charge of the operation and they are fantastic. James Madio is quite menacing as Bud, the brains of the pair even though I still remember him as Don’t Ask in Hook.
When Pryce tries to assault his mum, Elijah runs to Boon’s cabin for help. Boon gladly obliges and things escalate from there on in.
I feel this could have fallen into being like an afternoon movie you’ve walked in on part way through or mid season episode of a decent series you’ve not watched but instead you get a really well made, taut thriller.
The story ticks along beautifully and all of the characters are there on screen, immediately understood and all performances are solid. The cinematography is spot on, and the score sets scenes perfectly. Overall it feels like a really polished film. I think it may well be even better if you’ve seen Red Stone.
Oh, and do stick around for the mid credits scene.
Watch the trailer below and catch Boon On digital 22 May 2023