‘Classified’ (2024) Movie Review - Great Plot but Poor Execution

In Classified, Aaron Eckhart stars as Evan Shaw, a highly skilled and seasoned CIA hitman who has spent years operating in the shadows, receiving his assignments through coded messages cleverly hidden in the "Help Wanted" section of the newspaper. His world is meticulously organized, and he follows each mission with unyielding precision. However, the ground beneath his feet begins to crumble when Kacey Walker, a sharp and determined MI6 analyst played by Abigail Breslin, enters his life with a shocking revelation: the covert division Evan has been working for was disbanded years ago.

This unexpected twist forces Evan to confront a terrifying reality—he has no idea who’s been pulling the strings, or for what purpose. Everything he believed about his career, loyalty, and even his sense of purpose is now in question. Together, Evan and Kacey must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with shifting allegiances, shadowy figures, and dangerous secrets, as they race to uncover the truth behind the mysterious operations.

With every step closer to the truth, the stakes rise, and the line between ally and enemy blurs. “Classified” explores not only the unraveling of a master assassin's psyche but also the disturbing realization that even the most skilled operatives can be pawns in a larger, more sinister game.

While the plot of Classified initially seems promising, the execution falls short of its potential. What begins as an intriguing setup—a veteran hitman uncovering the mystery of who he's really been working for—quickly devolves into a repetitive barrage of gunfights and relentless action sequences. The film leans too heavily on raining bullets and explosive set pieces, leaving little room for the deeper narrative and character development that the premise deserves.

As a result, the story loses momentum almost as soon as it starts. The constant shootouts overshadow the mystery at the heart of the film, and instead of building suspense or exploring the emotional turmoil of the characters, it opts for mind-numbing action. The initial interest sparked by the plot is quickly drowned out by the sheer volume of gunfire, making it difficult for viewers to stay invested in the unfolding mystery. What could have been a layered, psychological thriller instead becomes a monotonous action movie, leaving audiences with little more than an empty spectacle.

At a certain point in Classified, the story takes such a convoluted turn that you may find yourself questioning the very foundation of the plot. What starts as an intriguing mystery quickly spirals into utter chaos. Initially, Evan is led to believe that he’s been unknowingly working for a rogue entity all along, as Kacey informs him that the CIA division he thought he belonged to had been shut down years ago. This revelation should have added depth and tension, but instead, it muddles the narrative. Just when you start wrapping your head around the idea that Evan might have been deceived, the film throws another curveball, suggesting that perhaps the information Kacey gave him could be false too.

The constant back-and-forth of what’s real and what’s not is handled so erratically that it begins to feel like a never-ending game of deception with no payoff. This relentless ambiguity could have added layers to the story, but it’s presented so haphazardly that it becomes frustrating rather than intriguing. You’re never sure what the characters truly know, and instead of keeping you on the edge of your seat, it leaves you feeling disoriented.

Too many forces come after Evan without clear motivations, and the story loses its grounding, leaving audiences bewildered. What could have been a clever unraveling of conspiracies ends up feeling like a chaotic, nonsensical chase with no clear direction or resolution.

Final Score- [3/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times