Russell Crowe Shines in 'Land of Bad,' Despite Film's Flaws

The war movie 'Land of Bad' garners mixed reviews, highlighting Crowe's performance amidst criticism of its simplistic narrative and racial optics.

'Land of Bad' stars Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth in a war drama set in the Philippines, with Crowe playing a drone pilot and Hemsworth a soldier stranded in the jungle.
The film is criticized for its portrayal of 'Evil Brown Terrorists' and simplistic, sometimes offensive racial optics, despite attempts to counterbalance with diverse characters.
Russell Crowe's performance, particularly a scene of him grocery shopping, is praised as a highlight, offering a contrast to the film's action sequences.
The movie's action scenes and narrative are described as middle-of-the-road, with some reviewers finding redeeming qualities in its cinematography and Crowe's acting.
Despite its flaws, 'Land of Bad' is seen as a weird type of pro-war film that explicitly supports drone warfare, marking a strange pivot for director William Eubank.