‘Polar’ is an action-packed and blood-soaked fest

Netflix delves into the assassin movie realm with Polar, an action-packed neonoir film based on the Dark Horse graphic novel of the same title.

Although clumped into the blood and gore stable of worldwide assassin flicks, this Netflix Original Film does enough, narratively, to set itself apart from other films in this genre.

Directed by Jonas Akerlund and written by Jayson Rothwell, Polar stars Mads Mikkelsen of Hannibal series fame and Vanessa Hudgens (Spring Breakers). It kicks into high gear from the opening scene.

Mads Mikkelsen and Vanessa Hudgens in Polar. Picture: Netflix

The film, same as the novel created by Victor Santos, focuses on a close-to-retirement assassin named Duncan Vizla, aka The Black Kaiser, played by Mikkelsen and his off-beat yet lovable relationship with Camille (Hudgens). The latter is a socially awkward and mysterious young woman living next door to Duncan’s snow-laden Montana cabin.

While retirement after a long life of snuffing out baddies for loads of money should be something to look forward to, in Duncan’s killer-for-hire career field retirement can be a deadly game.

When his employer considers him to be a financial liability, the aging hitman becomes a target for some of the most dangerous and foul-mouthed death dealers in the world.

Unlike the protagonists in John Wick or Kill Bill, Duncan does not have a tragic past and it’s this lack of a backstory – save a for a few flashbacks to a hit gone wrong – that deepens the mystery around the lead character, which Mikkelsen pulls off with cinematic finesse.

While the ragtag group of assassins with potty mouths, over-the-top personalities and flashy wardrobes make for great entertainment, it’s the psychopathic head of the group, Matt Lucas (Little Britain), who brings a dark yet comedic element to the film.

Polar. Picture: Netflix

The fight sequences and gunplay is outstanding and watching Mikkelsen as an efficient butt-kicking killer is a sight to behold, and probably has something to do with his gymnastics and dancing past.

Before his foray into acting, Mikkelsen, who is from Denmark, was originally a gymnast and dancer. While he took on a number of small parts, it was his role as the unforgettable villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond movie, that truly kicked off his acting career.

Polar, in spite of foul language and gore, is made enjoyable through Mikkelsen and Hudgens’ on-screen chemistry. If you love high-octane edge-of-your-seat action, then add this one to your Netflix streaming list.

– haydenh@citizen.co.za

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