SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER – A Review by Cynthia Flores

A bit of definition is needed here to set the stage for this review. In the British military, ‘Sunray’ (noun) is a military voice procedure in reference to the commanding officer or leader.

 The Sunray in this film refers to the main character, Andrew Coleman (Tip Cullen). After dedicating his entire life to service in a special forces unit, he is a man who now struggles to live with his memories and find a way to fit into this civilian world.

His life in battle cost him his marriage to Elaine (Karlina Grace-Paseda) and time with his only child, Rachel (Saskia Rose). Who is now a young woman with a boyfriend that her father would not approve of, Cassius “Cash” (Daniel Davids). He is the son and heir apparent to the drug lord Lucian (Kevin Golding) empire. Whether he wants it or not. When Rachel dies after taking a hit of some laced crack while Cash is busy doing his father’s work, her death sets off a bloody chain of events.

Andy calls on his friends from his past to hunt down those responsible for the death of his daughter. His group of buddies are all former Royal Marines he served with. They’ve shown up at the right times before and saved his life more than once, and he needs that again. There is Smudge (Tom Leigh), who is the most emotionally healthy and the voice of reason. Then there is Sledge (Luke Solomon), the guy who is the most unhinged and always ready to fight. The last member of the team is Harper (Steven Blades), who is the eyes of the team. He is a deadly sniper who can kill up close just as effectively as he can behind the scope of a rifle. He is the quietest brother in arms and the most profound. He will kill targets and unflinchingly study them as their lives slip away.

This is the group of men who go on Andy’s hunt for Cash, the man he blames for the drugs that killed Rachel. Andy learns more about himself on this journey than he ever thought possible. All as he unravels a violent crime syndicate on his quest for revenge that has an ending that will surprise you.

Sunray: Fallen Soldier is set against a realistic, fast-paced action backdrop. The score by Tristan Clark (available to stream) is a heart-pounding hypnotic backdrop to these maneuvers. Everything in the film is guided by the military drills these former Royal Marine Commandos recreated. Sunray: Fallen Soldier challenges the perceptions of mental health and soldiers’ struggles when reintegrating into civilian life.

The coolest thing I liked about this film is that it’s created and stars a collective of former British Royal Marine Commandos. That unit is akin to the United States Marine Corps Marine Raider Regiment. Let’s say you want to stay on the good side of anybody who’s served in either of these kinds of regiments.

This film was written, directed, shot, and edited by former Royal Marine Commando who survived combat and lost friends in conflicts like Afghanistan. The last time I saw an independent film with as much energy as this was the Robert Rodriguez breakout film El Mariachi in 1992. As movie-going history states, Rodriguez famously sold his body to science to finance that first feature film, which cost only $7,000, and launched his film career. Because the makers of SUNRAY: Fallen Soldier wrote such a good script and hired veterans across the production team on and off the screen to make their first film, they raised money from an unusual source. The film was primarily supported by a multinational veteran, still serving in the Armed Forces community hoping to raise awareness for the sacrifices made by soldiers and the effects of PTSD.

I give SUNRAY: Fallen Solder 3.5-stars. There are only a few parts that show filmmakers’ inexperience. But it’s an independent movie you will enjoy, whether on the big screen or in your home theater setup.

 

Directed by: James Clarke, Daniel Shepherd

Written by: James Clarke, Daniel Shepherd

Rated: NR

Selig Rating: 3.5 Stars

Running Time: 115 min

Action, Thriller

Release: January 24th limited theatrical release and on-demand on Sky Store, Apple TV, Amazon, and more

Starring: Tip Cullen, Tom Leigh, Luke Solomon, Steven Blades, Daniel Davids

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.

4 Stars – Good movie

3 Stars – OK movie

2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.

1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.

Similar Articles

Comments

Instagram

Most Popular