Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Special Ops has a lot of flaws, believe me.  In fact, when it gets right down to it, it’s a pretty awful movie.  However, it does have one good thing going for it – and that is the talent of its main star, A.J. Draven.  Of course, in this case, when I mention “talent” I’m not talking about acting ability.  I’m referring to Draven’s immense talent in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) arena.  Watching him bring those talents to the role is a joy, if you’re into that kind of thing.  If not, well, then keep away from this movie, because there really is nothing else here.

Draven plays Captain Kyle Fierson an American Marine, sent on a special mission that should have been a “piece of cake”.  Unfortunately, it was all a set up, and Fierson’s entire team is ambushed and wiped out, leaving him the sole survivor.  Now the country that he dedicated his life to serving has turned on him.  Fierson must rely on his own cunning (and all of his street-fighting talents) to obtain proof that he’s being framed, save himself, and countless others when new-technology weapons land in the wrong hands.

The story, itself, is OK.  But this is a low-budget movie, and it shows.  The audio quality is awful.  No matter how much I raised the volume, the dialogue was obliterated by the background music.  I thought perhaps it was just my copy of the movie, but I’ve read other reviews that all say the same thing.  And while Draven’s acting is “passable”, some of the supporting characters were awful.  I do have to mention that Finola Hughes has a small role in this movie, and she does a decent job with her role.  But as far as the other characters that help Draven on his mission, they were truly awful.  Of particular note was Marie Lanoy who plays Nita, part of the team of doctors working on this new technology that’s now in the wrong hands.  Her performance was truly awful.  I’ve now looked her up and discovered this is the first acting credit listed under her name.  Well, that explains that.

The only part of the movie that was truly enjoyable was watching Draven’s MMA talents be put to good use as time and time again he is able to wipe out the guys coming after him.  Whether it’s realistic for one man to be able to take down a dozen, especially when the others have guns, knives, and other weapons, that’s really beside the point.  At least, in this case, the moves are performed by a man truly skilled in the discipline, so it was fun to watch, despite issues of plausibility.

Overall, there’s nothing here to recommend, other than Draven, himself.  See this movie only if you’re into MMA.  If not, take a pass.

Recommended: No