Lost Horizon, written and directed by Patrick Garcia, starts with a sort of trailer-esque introduction. Quick cuts show soldiers fighting rebels amid heavy gunfire and explosions. This opening gives a “Last Week On” recap of a television episode back in the day. The story proper picks up with soldier-turned-contractor Michael (Tom Fairfoot) stopping to help journalist Amelia (Aimee Botes), even though he and his team are on a tight deadline as the border is closing soon. They are ambushed but survive and just make it.
From there, the plot concerns Michael and his team’s dam-building project. Someone is out to sabotage the construction and even sends a person to kill Michael; unfortunately, Amelia is the one hit. Initially, evidence points to Colonel Collins (Scott Talbot) and his daughter, Leia (Kayla Osburn), who are worried the dam will flood out their farm.
Things take a darker turn when Amelia vanishes from the hospital. Michael is confused about how it happened, and the nurses’ tight lips aren’t helping his frustration over losing the lady he loves. Everything goes from bad to worse when the rebels kidnap Leia, and Colonel Collins begs Michael for help. Why would the rebels kidnap her? Who took Amelia from the hospital? Are these incidents tied to trying to bring Michael down?
“Someone is out to sabotage the construction and even sends a person to kill Michael…”
Please realize that each dangling plot thread is wrapped up by the time the 93-minute runtime ends. This means Lost Horizon packs in enough story for at least two movies. Some things happen and are dealt with in a matter of a minute or two as the narrative rushes off to the next exciting setpiece. It is a lot to try to follow all at once, and it could have maybe used a co-writer or editor to break the story down to its essential elements.
However, the operative word from the above paragraph is “exciting.” Even if the story is overstuffed, the film is nothing if not exciting. The numerous action scenes are well filmed and have a kinetic energy to them. Viewers feel every ounce of danger the leads are in as bullets fly and grenades explode. The chase sequences have an intensity, especially one that starts at a bar.
Lost Horizon is doing a lot, story-wise; too much even. But the focal point is the action, and on that front, this is an easy recommendation. There’s a lot of action, and each scene is tons of exciting fun. Plus, the solid cast believable sells every knife stab, punch, and bullet wound.
For more information, visit the official Lost Horizon page.
"…the film is nothing if not exciting."
