A logger and his father head to their hunting cabin, hoping for a quiet weekend. Instead, they find themselves in a kill-or-be-killed stand for survival when they encounter a gang of ruthless drug traffickers.
Engaging at times, giving Momoa a chance to play a normal guy for a change, but the picture is caught between two tonal extremes, lacking a master plan to mix drama and woodsy mayhem.
Braven never truly goes for it. Its devotion to its slow build makes you think that the violent payoff you're waiting for is going to be more over the top than it actually is.
To put it simply and gratefully: "Braven" is the sort of unpretentious yet thoroughly professional popcorn entertainment that brings out the best in everybody involved.
here isn't a ton that you'll find original about Braven, but if you like Momoa when he plays a man pushed past the breaking point, then this is worth your time.
Any cheapjack action movie can get a crowd to cheer at its shock kills. It's the best ones that persuade us that there's a clear chain-of-events physical logic at play - that find suspense in one action leading inevitably to another.
Director Lin Oeding's stunt background serves him well; the stripped-down action, fights and stunt work here feel like the real deal instead of effects-heavy marvels of editing.
Despite his fearsome physicality, Momoa again manages to come off as a relatable everyman, and Lang, as usual, superbly handles his role's considerable emotional and physical demands.