'Chris Ryan’s Strike Back' By Michael Conroy
In the bullet-ridden wake of Matt Damon’s Green Zone, Band of Brothers spiritual sequel The Pacific and the wildly popular Call of Duty game series, you’d be forgiven for thinking Sky 1’s new miniseries Chris Ryan’s Strike Back is yet another formulaic action-fest on a war-chest budget.
And to some extent, it is. A gruff, largely unintelligible leading man? Check. Chopper chases? Check. Rolling jeeps, big guns and bigger explosions? Double check.
But excellent cinematography, stellar performances and a surprisingly balanced global perspective raises this story of two former British SAS soldiers into a thoroughly enjoyable action romp. Six episodes span Iraq, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Afganistan in cinematically shot, glorious HD. It’s popcorn warfare with a pinch of salt – and man TV par excellence.
Chris Ryan’s Strike Back will air on Sky1 HD and Sky1 in May 2010.