Watch Primal

Primal is an action-adventure film directed by Nick Powell, released in 2019. The movie is set on a cargo ship, where Frank Walsh, a big-game hunter, captures a rare white jaguar in the Amazon rainforest. He intends to sell it to a zoo in the United States, but things take an unexpected turn when the ship's crew is taken over by a group of highly dangerous and armed mercenaries.

Right from the start, we learn that the protagonists, or at least some of them, are not who they seem to be. The twists and turns don't stop there, and the plot continues to thicken as the movie progresses. At the core of the narrative, we have Frank, played by Nicolas Cage, who isn't exactly a hero, but his love for hunting and the animals he captures is undeniably genuine. He's a loner who has spent most of his life in isolation, hunting and trapping animals in the wild, which makes him highly resourceful under pressure.

The mercenaries on the ship are led by Richard Loffler, played by Kevin Durand. He's a cold, calculating, and highly trained killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. His team is a mix of former special forces soldiers and criminals with various skill sets, all of whom are highly dangerous and well-armed.

The tension between Frank and Loffler builds up throughout the movie, as both are unwilling to back down. When the mercenaries take over the ship, Frank must use all his skills to evade the attackers and protect the jaguar he has captured from harm. He soon realizes that the only way to survive is to team up with the unlikely alliance of ship's captain, Ringer (LaMonica Garrett), and a jailed political prisoner, Dr. Ellen Taylor (Famke Janssen).

The movie features some excellent action scenes that keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. There are a few hand-to-hand combats, and a lot of gunfights, both of which are choreographed brilliantly. What sets this movie apart from other action flicks is its setting – the confined environment of a cargo ship that's being taken over by the attackers. This brings a feeling of claustrophobia and urgency to the proceedings, as the characters are constantly on the move, trying to outmaneuver their pursuers.

The crew of the ship is just as complex and multi-faceted as the attackers. They have their own agendas, secrets, and loyalties, which are slowly revealed as the story progresses. This adds an extra layer of complexity to the movie, making it much more than just a straightforward action flick.

Of course, no Nicolas Cage movie would be complete without some of his trademark quirky behavior. He brings his own unique style to the character and manages to make the audience root for him, even though he's not exactly a conventional hero.

The cinematography is another highlight of Primal, with the jungle scenes shot beautifully, showcasing the natural beauty of the Amazon rainforest. The use of lighting and camera angles creates a sense of unease and danger during the night scenes, which are frequent throughout the movie.

Overall, Primal is an entertaining action-adventure film that keeps the viewer engaged from start to finish. The tightly woven plot, along with the excellent performances by the cast, makes it an engaging watch. The movie features a combination of conventional action scenes and some unique set-pieces that make it stand out from other movies in the genre. It may not be a masterpiece, but as a fun popcorn movie, it certainly delivers the goods.