A Spicy Mexican Treat
Over time, military thrillers have been really popular because they show exciting, action-packed scenes of both real and made-up wars, and they often feature a mix of interesting characters. A new Netflix movie called Counterattack (sometimes called Counterstrike in different places, but not related to the video game) tries to bring the same kind of excitement as famous war movies like Saving Private Ryan and Lone Survivor. It has big, explosive action scenes and focuses on the bonds between soldiers during tough situations. The movie wants to be one of those great war films that mix thrilling action with emotional stories.Overall, the movie does a good job with what it has, offering some well-done action scenes and characters that are likable and easy to connect with. However, the story isn’t very strong—it feels too simple, with a political side plot that doesn’t get enough attention and some loose ends that aren’t resolved by the end. Even with these flaws, the movie still manages to fit a lot into its short 75-minute runtime (not counting the 10 minutes of credits), making it a fun way to spend a couple of hours. It doesn’t do anything groundbreaking, but it’s a decent movie in its genre that provides enough excitement to keep viewers interested.
The story follows a skilled military team, led by Captain Guerrero, who is highly respected by his team for his ability to handle dangerous, high-pressure missions. They’re sent on a secret mission in Mexico to take down a powerful and important target named Josefo “El Aguijon” Urias. This mission is both risky and crucial.
But things get more complicated because Josefo and his unpredictable brother, Roman, have a personal grudge against Guerrero. They blame him for their father’s death, and this personal conflict makes the mission even harder. The mix of professional duty and personal revenge creates a tense situation that could ruin everything.
Guerrero and his team are given a mission to capture someone important in Josefo’s organization as a first step toward catching Josefo himself. This sets up a tense, action-filled mission with a lot on the line. But Josefo is a smart and tricky opponent—he secretly makes a deal with the Secretary, which backfires on Guerrero’s team and puts them at a disadvantage. This betrayal makes their mission much harder and forces them into a dangerous situation where they can’t trust anyone and everything seems to be working against them. The story becomes a thrilling, unpredictable struggle as the team tries to survive and achieve their goal despite the growing challenges.
After a violent attack leaves Guerrero and his team stuck in enemy territory, they have no option but to walk six exhausting hours to get to the nearest safe point. The trip is extremely dangerous—they have to cross rough, difficult land while being chased by Josefo and his well-armed group. The pressure builds as they use their skills, quick thinking, and teamwork to avoid being caught and stay alive. This intense chase turns their mission into a tough challenge of survival and determination, where every choice they make could decide whether they live or die.
The story is simple, and Counterattack jumps right into the action, quickly building tension with an exciting scene early on. Then, the movie uses a flashback to show who Guerrero and his team are and explain how they ended up in the dangerous situation they’re in. While the characters aren’t deeply explored, the main team members get chances to show their personalities and abilities. This way of telling the story keeps things moving quickly, mixing action scenes with just enough character moments to make you care about the team and believe in their bond. It’s a smart way to keep the audience interested from the beginning.
Like you’d expect from a close group of soldiers, the movie has a lot of joking and teamwork, which adds some fun moments to the otherwise serious story. One of the team members, Pollo, keeps things light with his constant complaints about his ruined shoes, which is a funny contrast to the dangerous situation they’re in. Meanwhile, Guerrero is the classic action hero—he’s motivated by doing what’s right and is determined to fight against injustice. The mix of humor and seriousness within the team makes the characters feel real and their connection genuine, even as they deal with the chaos of their risky mission.
Even though the team has a strong bond and there are some lighthearted moments, most of the characters don’t feel fully developed, which makes it harder to care deeply when they’re in danger or die. The movie has plenty of exciting, tense scenes that keep you hooked, but because we don’t get to know the characters well enough, it’s difficult to feel truly connected to their struggles. The story would have been much more engaging if it spent more time showing the team’s personalities, backgrounds, and relationships in greater detail. This extra depth could have turned the movie from a simple action-packed thriller into a more emotional and meaningful story, where the audience feels as invested in the characters’ lives as the characters themselves are.
The movie also doesn’t always stick to realistic military tactics, which might bother viewers looking for a more authentic experience. Sometimes the team acts like the skilled professionals they’re supposed to be—using cover wisely and communicating clearly—but other times, they act carelessly, standing out in the open during shootouts as if they’re not worried about getting shot. These inconsistencies can break the sense of realism and take you out of the otherwise exciting story. It’s a shame because the action scenes are the best part of the movie, full of energy and excitement. They could have been even better if the film had paid more attention to realistic tactics. Still, despite these issues, the thrilling moments stand out, even if they sometimes feel a bit over-the-top.
The final battle is a good example of the movie’s occasional problems with making sense. The team is trying to hold their ground against impossible odds, and while the scene is exciting and full of action, it also has some obvious flaws. For instance, the way the fight ends feels confusing—like how Josefo goes from leading a huge group of fighters to suddenly being alone, with no clear explanation. Some of this might be due to rushed or messy editing.
Still, despite these issues, Counterattack offers a fun, action-packed experience that’s better than you might expect. It’s not going to be remembered as an all-time great, but its fast pace and high-energy thrills make it an enjoyable watch, even with its flaws.