Renegades (2017)

Directed by: Steven Quale
Written by: Luc Besson & Richard Wenk
Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, J.K. Simmons, Sylvia Hoeks, J.K. Simmons, Ewen Bremner

Set during the Bosnian War, Renegades (also released as American Renegades) follows a team of U.S. Navy SEALs investigating claimed Nazi gold at the bottom of a Bosnian lake. After their mission is compromised, they defy orders and mount a daring underwater heist—to recover the treasure and bring justice to the local people

The film kicks off with an adrenaline-laced prologue set in WWII, then launches into a mid-’90s war-zone spectacle featuring tanks careening off bridges and heavy firefights—though historical accuracy takes a backseat to over-the-top action . The opening sequence shines, but the film soon drifts into standard heist tropes, including predictable planning montages and cliché dialogue .

• Sullivan Stapleton commands as the SEAL team leader—action-capable but not deeply dimensional J.K. Simmons, as the disgruntled superior officer, delivers solid support and brief comedic relief with his trademark no-nonsense attitude 

• Sylvia Hoeks appears as the intelligence officer, but her role is peripheral and lacks impact

Overall, the cast must compensate for thin character development and formulaic lines 

Reactions were mixed:

• Empire criticized the tonal imbalance—using the horrors of mass atrocities as backdrops for cheeky riffs—and said the film “never quite sustained” its promise 

• HeyUGuys called it “lazily put together, badly acted” with “horrendously self-aggrandising jingoistic dialogue” 

• Times of India summarized: “Big on action but seriously low on plot… some incredible effects… but plot far-fetched” 

Renegades sets out to be a bold, action-packed cross between war spectacle and heist thriller, but it ends up as a mixed bag. Its strengths lie in explosive opening sequences and the commanding presence of Simmons, but it falters under predictable plotting, thinly sketched characters, and tonal dissonance. For viewers craving high-energy action scenes with minimal storytelling, it offers enough escapism. However, for those seeking narrative depth or emotional resonance, this film won't quite deliver.